Miami-Dade County Health Department

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Congratulations to Patricia Onley Employee of the Month for October 2003

Positive Impact on the health of residents

The Nominee has been an integral part of the Special Immunization Program as the program began as a small contingent of the Bureau of Immunization in 1963.
Based on various outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases, including Diphtheria and Measles, the program began to expand to include as many as (36) clinics and over 100 employees.
Back in 1982, a strong nurse to assist with surveillance was needed. One with investigation skills necessary to track various outbreaks of diseases. A self-starter, who would assist in disease management by coordinating and conducting immunization clinics in non-traditional settings. The Nominee was that nurse who assisted in building SIP and garnering the respect the program achieved throughout the State, as well as from the CDC.
The Nominee has been featured in a CDC Study on Measles that focused on Miami-Dade County's efforts to control the spread of the disease in the late 80's and early 90's.
As a result, the Nominee has always been linked with starting special projects that further enhance the scope of services provided by the program throughout Miami-Dade County.
The Nominee utilized skills, natural abilities and dedicated efforts towards protecting Pediatric and adult clients against vaccine preventable diseases by supervising the provision of Pediatric immunizations in (36) clinics throughout the county.
In 1996, the Nominee began providing adult immunization services at three sites: Downtown Unit, Quail Roost Clinic and Dr. Rafael Penalver.

Increased Productivity, Revenues, Improved Operations

In the beginning, adult services were secondary to the provision of childhood immunizations, but eventually began to rival the Pediatric clinics when Clinic #10 opened its doors on August 11, 2000.
Designed to be a free for service clinic, it began providing a limited amount of adult and travel vaccines, except Yellow Fever vaccine, along with assuming the role of the provision of Tuberculosis Screening and PPD implantation of qualified clients when the TB Program was no longer
To offer these services, making this a tri-fold clinic defined as : Adult Health, INS Change of Status and TB Screening.
Under the Nominee's supervision, this clinic collected a sum of $30,377 and serviced a total of 2,197 clients during the month of August through December 2000.
When the fiscal year 2000-2001 revenue was calculated and reported, it was determined that Clinic #10 collected $97,444.50, while at the end of fiscal year 2001-2002, the clinic collected $136,685.50 and at the end of fiscal year 2002-2003, the clinic collected $222,096.50 in fees alone.
Without including the revenues generated through third-party reimbursement from Medicaid, Medicare, Journal Transfers, Organizational Contributions, HMOs and select insurance companies, the clinic has succeeded in supporting itself, including staff salaries and the purchasing of vaccines and supplies.

Positive Attitude, Initiative, Flexibility

At present, Clinic #10 has expanded its scope to include Employee Health and has begun working with Risk Management to begin performing the two-step method of Tuberculosis Evaluation of health department employees as well as ensuring the availability of vaccines for all employees through vaccine administration and follow-up activities of reminder/recall to afford the completion of the immunization series.
The Nominee ensures staff are flexible in meeting the needs of its customers. Staff works together as a team to ensure that the job gets done effectively and in a timely manner.
The Nominee has worked with supervisors to reduce the waiting time of external customers especially during the back-to-school rush.
There has been cooperation from staff as well as volunteers from other programs.

Improved Work Force Cohesiveness

The Nominee has been instrumental in getting front-line staff involved in Customer Intake Trainings with Craig Rasmussen.
There has been positive feedback from the trainings and an improved customer focus attitude.
Promotes the success of the SIP Program on staff dedication and hard work.
The Customer Intake Trainings have increased morale and enthusiasm among all front-line staff.
The Nominee encourages staff to attend other trainings that promote increasing self-esteem, morale, and positive attitude.
Works with staff to ensure that their potentials are used to bringing out the best in them, thereby making the program more successful.
The Nominee has always been able to keep Program Directors centered and to see the lighter side of things despite the gravity or intensity of the situation.
Proven to be a true friend, respected confidante and insightful partner in the SIP Program.
Staff often will hear the SIP Director say, "life with the Nominee is always an adventure" and "only the Nominee has an unshakeable tenacity and dedicated efforts to all immunization activities and functions.
One of a kind and a pleasure to work with!

Integrity, Accountability, Commitment

The Nominee is responsible for expanding the outreach efforts geared towards protecting our seniors and high-risk clients from Influenza and Pneumococcal Diseases and single-handedly beat the pavement and increased the amount of Pneumococcal vaccines administered by our health department by 300% from 2002 to 2002.
The Nominee demonstrates accountability, quality and a commitment to excellence in meeting the department's as well as the State's values and strategic plans linked to all the Miami-Dade County Health Department's priorities.
The Nominee is customer-driven at all times.
With the 2010 health objectives geared towards increasing the amount of adult protected against Influenza and Pneumococcal Disease, the Nominee has made this a "primary goal" and the staff he/se supervises.
The Nominee volunteered to participate in the Operation Vaccinate Florida Campaign.
Always willing to take part in special projects.