Title
To recognize Mrs. Carla E. Hicks, in honor of her 33 years of distinguished service to Columbus Public Health and the City of Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, Mrs. Carla E Hicks, a lifelong resident of Columbus, Ohio graduated from Eastmoor High School and went on to attend the University of Cincinnati where she was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, the Honorary Nursing Society and obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing in 1975; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Hicks began her career in nursing in Chicago, Illinois as a medical surgery nurse for the University of Chicago Medicine; later joining the staff of Allegheny Hospital where she worked as an oncology nurse; and
WHEREAS, in 1980 Mrs. Hicks returned to Columbus, Ohio and began her career at the South Side Family Health Center as a Nursing Supervisor where she established an outpatient pediatric program, helping to develop general nursing policies & protocols and worked as an Administrator, diversifying revenue streams and improving community engagement; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Carla Hicks received her Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Dayton, furthering her skills and expertise in 1989; and
WHEREAS, the Women's Cancer Initiative at Columbus Public Health welcomed Mrs. Carla Hicks as their Manager in 1994; where she was responsible for developing and implementing an eight county program for low income and uninsured women - providing breast and cervical cancer education, and screening linkages to treatments; and
WHEREAS, because of her tireless efforts to insure access and health equity for all- Mrs. Hicks helped establish the Office of Minority Health at Columbus Public Health where she served as Director, providing leadership to address the health needs of minorities and developing policies to reduce health disparities; and
WHEREAS, in 2007 Mrs. Hicks became the administrator for the Division of Infectious Disease, one of the largest divisions at Columbus Public Health, where she supervised more than 90 members of the Columbus Public Health staff, and was responsible for managing clinical services which included: the CLIA certified laboratory, disease investigation, case/contact management, community based education, screening & treatment, and housing coordination for individuals with AIDS; and
WHEREAS, during her time as Division Director Mrs. Hicks helped transition the leadership team, restructured the Communicable Disease Prevention Team, implemented productivity standards for two of three clinical areas, established a Clinical Practice Improvement Team for clinical service support across the Department and established the Seasonal Influenza Program; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Hicks has been recognized by the American Cancer Society- receiving the R.E Matthews Award; the Arthur G James Caner Hospital; and Solove Research Institute - receiving the My Hope Calendar award; Zeta Tau Alpha - receiving the You Make a Difference Award; and Columbus Public Health, where she received the Spirit of Public Health Award; and
WHEREAS, in addition to her service to the community, she is also an active volunteer with the African American Cancer Support Group, the Central Ohio Diabetes Association, the Hosack Street Baptist Church and the Martin Luther King Center for the Performing and the Cultural Arts Women's Service Board - where she is a Charter Member; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Hicks will be remembered for her passion and dedication to the community, her commitment to public health, and her faithfulness as a friend, supportive wife, and mother; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
That this Council hereby expresses its appreciation for the outstanding contributions that have been made by Mrs. Carla Hicks during her 33 years of public health service, education and advocacy to the city of Columbus and congratulate Carla on her retirement.