HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-01-14 - Minutes -
Fayetteville City Board of Health
Jan. 14, 2026
4:30 p.m.
Members: Huda Sharaf, M.D.; Gary Berner, M.D.; Natalie Hardin; Brittany Kelly
Ex-Officio Members: Mayor Molly Rawn, Councilmember D’Andre Jones, Tabitha Gibbs,
Charlie Gocio
Guests: Hershey Garner, M.D.; Lenny Whiteman; Councilmember Sarah Moore; Chris Jones;
Tricia Moore; and Chonda Tapley.
Recording: https://vod.fayetteville-ar.gov/internetchannel/show/9322?site=1
1. Call to order and roll call
a. Not present were board members D’Andre and Tabitha, as well as Hershey
2. Mayor Rawn, who was traveling, called in to thank Lenny and Hershey for their service on
the board and welcome Natalie and Brittany as new members of the board. Also, she said
the work of the board continues to be important, particularly as healthcare nationwide
continues to see substantial changes. “It’s important that cities step up and do what they
can.” Finally, she explained to the new members that the board’s role has shifted in recent
years from pandemic-response centric to one more focused on outreach for general public
health for the community. Finally, Mayor Rawn also asked the board to consider going
back to meeting quarterly.
3. Approval of the Oct. 8, 2025, minutes was motioned by Huda and approved by Gary.
4. Gary welcomed the new board members. Each existing member introduced themselves to
the new members, who then introduced themselves:
a. Natalie Hardin, Washington Regional VP of marketing and communications
b. Brittany Kelly, NWA Harm Reduction founder/director
5. Gary gave a historical overview of the board and explanation of its mission, describing it is
a partnership of organizations and cross-sector collaboration that aims to better
communicate to each other and residents.
6. Meeting dates were discussed. Charlie made a motion for the board to go back to meeting
quarterly, and Gary approved. The new 2026 dates are as follows:
a. Jan. 14, April 8, July 8 and Oct. 14
7. Tricia Moore and Chonda Tapley with Fayetteville Housing Authority (FHA) gave a
presentation about FHA, including the following topics:
a. Overview of FHA
b. Who it serves (those likely to have health issues: families, seniors, people disabilities,
vets, homeless, extremely low to low incomes)
c. What it does (provide stable and affordable housing, partner with landlords, service
providers and the City)
d. Sources of income for those it serves (52% Social Security, 20% disability, 14%
wages, 4% pension, 10% other)
e. Housing, substance use and health – housing instability increases the risk of
substance abuse and relapse
f. Gary asked about vouchers, which Chonda explained and elaborated on (potential
future projects)
2
g. Brittany asked if felons qualify; Chonda said no, but sex offenders and certain drug
offenses make them unqualified
8. Councilmember Moore and Chris Jones gave a presentation on ONEbox, an opioid /
naloxone emergency kit, including the following topics:
a. Demonstration of two versions: one for someone overdosing in the moment; the other
with more in-depth instructions for training.
b. Chris pointed out that, “Just having it doesn’t mean you know how to use it.” (Not
everyone who receives the kits are fully prepared.)
c. Sarah and Chris said they would like the City to invest in ONEboxes. When asked
about cost, they said the kits can range from $100-150 each. Sarah said they could be
distributed at a variety of locations, such as parks, City Hall, in homes, businesses,
churches and nonprofits, bars on Dickson St., bus stations and places where
unsheltered people congregate.
d. Gary asked what next steps they would like to see? Sarah said she would appreciate a
letter of support from this board to City Council.
9. Infectious Diseases
a. Seasonal trends
i. Gary said, in looking at statewide data and ER trends, “We are in the ramp-up for
flu prevalence,” particularly after the Christmas holiday – it went from the “minimum
level of flu prevalence” to “very high prevalence” in less than a two-week period.
However, it has since returned down to “high prevalence.”
ii. RSV figures are coming down in children, he said.
iii. Locally, he said Fayetteville is seeing higher volumes of acute minor illness
(coughs, colds and flu) but lower ratios of flu-positive tests; not matching with state
RSV trends, like usual. Natalie said WRMC has begun to see an increase in flu-
related hospitalizations – yet a slight decrease in those cases in the past 4-5 days.
b. Vaccinations
i. Based on CDC recommendations, a major shift in availability is not expected in
NWA, Gary said.
10. Discussion
a. Changes to healthcare in 2026
i. Watching for changes to ACA; concern is that insurance rates go up and patients
don’t carry, and then the ER is where they go – much costlier (than elsewhere and
earlier), Natalie said.
11. Other
a. Charlie asked if anyone would like to volunteer to be the new board chair. (Gary had
emailed him just before the meeting, saying he is willing to volunteer to be the new
board chair.)
b. Also, Charlie said he will deliver City certificates for Brittany and Natalie for serving on
the board.
12. Next Meeting: May 13, 2026
13. Adjourn @ 5:55