Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- As part of her Project Management Capstone class at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Mary Jo VanGompel decided to help her community by determining the feasibility of consolidating the North Shore and Shorewood/Whitefish Bay Health Departments. VanGompel just graduated from the UWP Distance Education Master of Science in Project Management program in fall 2008.

The North Shore Health Department serves the communities of Brown Deer, Glendale, Bayside, Fox Point and River Hills, and the Shorewood/Whitefish Bay Health Department serves the communities of Shorewood and Whitefish Bay. The departments were considering and interested in determining whether it was possible to consolidate because the director from the Shorewood/Whitefish Bay Heath Department is retiring.

In her study, VanGompel gave background on the functions of health departments. She said that their services are not just for the poor, but focus on the population as a whole. They conduct beach water testing, provide tobacco prevention education, provide flu shots and other immunizations, and cholesterol and diabetes screenings. They also compile and report data for tracking diseases, deaths and births, homeland security, and work site wellness.

VanGompel then analyzed factors such as governance and organizational structure, state requirements, space considerations, and political and legal considerations. She also discussed the advantages and disadvantages of consolidating. After taking these factors into account, VanGompel came up with five possible options for the two departments and presented the advantages, disadvantages and monetary costs of each.

Four of the five options merged the departments and eliminated redundant positions. In option one, the staff would move to a different location central to all North Shore communities. Option two reduced the number of employees to eight while maintaining the full-time equivalent and moving staff to Brown Deere Village Hall. Option three is to consolidate, but have the departments remain at their current separate locations. Option four involves Shorewood joining the North Shore Health Department without Whitefish Bay. Whitefish Bay would either contract with another public health department in Milwaukee Country or hire their own public health officer. The final option is to remain status quo and not consolidate.

Even though her study for class is completed, VanGompel is still involved in the project. She presented her report to the communities and said they are seriously looking into consolidating under options three or four. On March 19, she will present the report to the North Shore and Shorewood Boards of Health.

"I've really enjoyed the people I've worked with. I've learned a lot about public health," said VanGompel.

Ginger Levin, UWP professor of project management, was VanGompel's instructor for the class. "Her project is indeed impressive. It was a total volunteer effort. I felt her feasibility report was outstanding and I've encouraged her to consider sending it to the Project Management Institute for the student paper of the year award. She was also a pleasure to work with throughout the Capstone class - a great Capstone student," said Levin.

Besides serving her community, VanGompel also benefited from the experience she gained. She said she applies the skills she learned to her current job in human resources at Merge Healthcare, a medical imaging solutions provider headquartered in Milwaukee. Her job requires her to manage multiple projects.

"I'm glad to have had the chance to something not normally done. It broadened my experience, exposure to health care and knowledge base," said VanGompel.

As a married mother of two with a full-time job, VanGompel also enjoyed the convenience of taking classes online from home. She also appreciated the opportunity to form friendships with her classmates.

"I met so many wonderful people from all over the United States, some who I still trade e-mails with. I liked the coursework because we got to work in teams, which is important to everyday life. It (the program) was a perfect fit for me," said VanGompel.

Even though it was a challenge fitting in the 10 hours of work each week to complete the project, VanGompel said the project was very fulfilling. "When I graduated, it was the first time coming to campus. I was like, oh my gosh, this is where I've been going to school the last years. I finally got to meet some of the people I'd been in contact with. Walking along that stage was one the best days of my life," said VanGompel.

Anyone wanting more information about the UWP Distance Education Master of Science in Project Management program, may contact Bill Haskins, director of the program at (608) 342-1961 or haskinsd@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Bill Haskins, director, Master of Science in Project Management, (608) 342-1961, haskinsd@uwplatt.edu Written by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, kurdik@uwplatt.edu