- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
“I’m going to Disney World!” said Dr. Nancy Williams on her final day as dental director for North Georgia Health District 1-2 of the Georgia Department of Public Health. After 37 years practicing dentistry, 32 of which were caring for children's teeth, educating parents and children on the importance of oral health and overseeing dental services for the six-county health district based in Dalton, Williams is retiring and will now focus her time on family, friends and travel.
“It’s such a lifestyle change,” Williams said of her retirement. “But it’s simply time for it.”
The trip to Disney World is a prime example of her change of pace.
“My daughter has a work conference down there and asked me to come,” said Williams, “And, I thought, ‘I can go, I really can go!’”
Originally from Florida, Williams received her dental degree from the University of Michigan. A few harsh winters propelled her back down south to Georgia where she began a private dental practice in Kennesaw.
Although Williams was enjoying dentistry, she disliked the business end of private practice; and, after marrying in 1979 and moving to Dalton in 1980, the daily commute to Kennesaw became grinding. As a result, she eventually gave up her practice but soon had the opportunity to use her much-needed skills one day a week in the dental clinic at the Gilmer County Health Department in Ellijay.
Then in 1983, Williams became dental director for the North Georgia Health District. The district dental clinic was in the old Whitfield County Health Department building and was just a small room with one dental chair that she shared with her hygienist.
“We certainly weren't able to see a whole lot of kids back then,” said Williams. “But when the new health department building was constructed in 1996, we were finally able to expand services. We then had two chairs and were able to see many more patients.”
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- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
School Immunization Requirements Take Effect in Georgia
North GA – Let’s face it – nobody likes getting shots. But a shot lasts a second; diseases last much longer.
In an effort to protect every adult and child, the Georgia Department of Public Health established Georgia Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week, observed February 22-28, 2015, to serve as a reminder for parents to talk with their preteens and teens about getting immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases.
“Our Preteens and teens are branching out. They go to overnight camps, attend parties and play team sports – they are becoming increasingly social. While these are all fun parts of being a teenager, they can also increase their risk for contracting potentially life-threatening diseases,” said Sheila Lovett, acting director for the Georgia Department of Public Health Immunization Office. “Let’s help our children grow and protect them every way we can – including their future health and those around them with immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases.”
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health Rule (511-2-2), all students born on or after January 1, 2002, entering or transferring into seventh grade and any “new entrant” into eighth -12th grades in Georgia need proof of an adolescent pertussis (whooping cough) booster vaccination (called “Tdap”) AND an adolescent meningococcal vaccination (MCV4). This law affects all public and private schools including, but not limited to, charter schools, community schools, juvenile court schools and other alternative school settings (excluding homeschool).
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- Written by Jennifer King
- Category: Media Releases
North Georgia – Timely Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening and diagnostics are being provided to women ages 50 to 64 at public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield Counties.
Currently, North Georgia Health District 1-2 of the Georgia Department of Public Health is offering Clinical Breast Exams, Mammograms and Follow-up Consultations at LOW or NO cost to all women ages 50 to 64 who have limited annual income, limited health insurance or no health insurance.
- Let us help you know your personal risks and risks based on family history.
- Screening includes family health history, self-breast exam, clinical breast exam and mammography.
- Learn how to know your own breasts through periodic self-examination and breast observation.
- Discover how you can make healthy lifestyle choices, including diet, exercise and tobacco cessation.
Learn more by calling your county health department. [Please note: Our county health department phone numbers can be found by clicking on the LOCATIONS tab at the top of our home page.]
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- Written by Georgia Department of Public Health
- Category: Media Releases
Infant Recently Traveled from Overseas
ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is confirming the state’s first reported case of measles since 2012. The infected infant arrived in Atlanta from outside of the U.S. and is being cared for at Egleston at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA). DPH is working with CHOA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to identify anyone who may have been exposed to the patient and to prevent further spread of measles.
Measles is a highly contagious, serious respiratory disease. It is particularly dangerous for infants who cannot be immunized until they are at least six months old and young children who have only received one dose of measles vaccine.
Measles spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes and respiratory droplets travel through the air. Measles virus can live in the air and on surfaces for two to three hours. Almost everyone who has not been vaccinated will get measles if they are exposed to the virus.
Symptoms of measles include:
- Fever (can be very high)
- Cough, runny nose and red eyes
- Tiny white spots on the inner lining of the cheek – also called Koplik’s spots
- Rash of tiny, red spots that start at the head and spreads to the rest of the body (spots may become joined together as they spread)
Measles generally can be prevented through vaccination. The measles vaccine (MMR) is highly effective, in most cases about 97 percent effective.
Click here for the full article on DPH's website.
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