Director's Message

Jan. 18, 2008

To: All DHS employees

From: Bruce Goldberg, M.D., director

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"You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus."
~Mark Twain

I've mentioned in the past that much of the good work we do at DHS often goes unnoticed. Although often unheralded, we provide many critical services that help maintain the health and well-being of individuals and the population at large. This is especially true of the Public Health Division and the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory.

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new state public health laboratory in Hillsboro and of recognizing the great work done by lab employees -- all that "behind the scenes" work so important to the public's health. The event was the culmination of two years of planning and the tireless efforts of lab staff, others from DHS, and our many dedicated partners.

This is the first significant upgrade to the state's public health lab in 30 years, and the new facility is very much needed. It's a good start. However, we all need to recognize that the lab is but one part of our larger public health system. We have invested far too little in our state's public health infrastructure over the past decades. It is my sincere desire that as we open the new lab we also inaugurate a new era of investment in our state's public health system and in the public's health. We must do better.

But now back to the lab. The work done by our lab staff is critical to maintaining our system of public health in Oregon. Last year alone, lab staff conducted approximately 9 million tests on 450,000 samples. The work done at the state public health laboratory helps identify disease outbreaks, control epidemics and protect the public's health. The benefit to the public is enormous.

Our microbiologists and lab technicians test samples from county health departments for communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, E. coli and West Nile virus. We also test nearly every infant born in a six-state region for more than 40 disorders such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia. Lab staff also are responsible for regulating 2,000 clinical and environmental laboratories throughout Oregon.

And, in recognition of the potential public health threats posed by emerging diseases and terrorism in today's world, the new lab was designed to be a Biosafety Level 3 facility, one of fewer than 10 such labs in the West able to perform specialized testing for highly hazardous microbes and toxins.

This new lab not only enhances our ability to protect the public's health, it also represents a unique partnership with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, which will share the 45,000-square-foot facility with DHS. This creative use of a shared facility is an excellent example of stewardship of public resources, and reflects the shared commitment of DHS and DEQ to providing high-quality health monitoring services to Oregon and surrounding states.

The landscape of public health is ever-changing and, as it changes, the lab's role in protecting the public's health will continue to grow. The new facility will help us meet the challenges ahead, whatever they may be. My congratulations to everyone who helped make this new lab possible. It's a strong foundation. Now let's build on it.

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To provide feedback email: DHS.Directorsoffice@state.or.us

This message is intended for all department employees. Please read it electronically, if possible. Managers and supervisors are asked to share the message each week with employees who do not have email access.