TN.gov Newsroom

Local Businesses and Organizations Promote Healthy Lifestyles for Tennesseans

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health honored nine Tennessee programs and organizations with the 2010 Shining Star Award. The award program is designed to recognize the contributions of an individual or group for efforts to promote healthy lifestyles. The areas of recognition are communities (Where We Live); employers (Where We Work); and educational settings (Where We Learn). The Shining Star Award recipients received their awards in Nashville, Tenn. on Monday, August 2, 2010.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Board of Nursing has summarily suspended the license of Sara D. Maiville APN, RN of Thompsons Station. The suspension of her nursing license became effective August 5, 2010. As a result of the board’s actions, Maiville was immediately prohibited from working as a nurse.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Board of Nursing has summarily suspended the license of Stephanie Sandy, LPN, of Lafayette, Tenn. The suspension of her nursing license became effective August 4, 2010. As a result of the board’s actions, Sandy was immediately prohibited from working as a nurse.

John Dunn, DVM, Ph.D., Deputy State Epidemiologist

NASHVILLE – John Dunn, DVM, Ph.D., has been named deputy state epidemiologist for the State of Tennessee. Dunn has been serving as the state’s public health veterinarian since 2007.

“John is a well respected public health professional at the local, state, national and international levels, and is uniquely qualified to assume the duties of this position,” said Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN. “I am pleased he will continue to use his skills to protect, promote and improve the health of Tennesseans as our deputy state epidemiologist.”

NASHVILLE – With the predicted heat index at or above 100 degrees for the remainder of the week, Tennesseans need to make wise decisions to protect themselves and their children from heat-related illnesses, especially as the 2010-2011 school year begins in some counties across the state.

World Breastfeeding Week is August 1-7, 2010

NASHVILLE – One of the many ways the Tennessee Department of Health works to make sure infants get a healthy start is by promoting breastfeeding. Breastfed babies may have less risk as they age of becoming obese, having diabetes and developing other diseases, according to numerous health studies. Learning how to breastfeed takes time and patience, and Tennessee county health department staffers can help mothers and babies succeed at the practice. World Breastfeeding Week, observed August 1-7 this year, is a good time to remind Tennessee mothers that breastfeeding support is available at their nearest health department clinic.

Robyn Atkinson, PhD, with TN Public Health Laboratory Director David Smalley, PhD, MSS, BCLD

NASHVILLE — Robyn Atkinson, PhD, has been selected as the recipient of the 2010 Emerging Leader Award by the Association of Public Health Laboratories. Atkinson is director of the Tennessee Department of Health’s Knoxville Regional Laboratory.

Local water systems to be surveyed July 18-24

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health and Department of Environment and Conservation are hosting training activities by the United States Public Health Service July 18-24, 2010. Survey teams will conduct these training exercises in Rutherford and Wilson Counties.

Beat the Back-to-School Rush, Get Children Current on Vaccinations

NASHVILLE – Parents of children enrolling in child care, pre-school, Kindergarten and 7th grade should make plans now to be sure their children are up to date with their immunizations, if they haven’t already. Pediatric practices and county health department clinics expect to be busy all summer providing the vaccines and certificates necessary to meet the new immunization requirements that went into effect on July 1.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Health warns that record floods in some parts of the state in early May followed by hotter than average temperatures could contribute to larger mosquito populations in the state and an increase in West Nile virus cases. TDOH urges Tennesseans to follow commonsense precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites and the diseases they may carry.