On May 18, 2006 a conference dealing with tuberculosis in the correctional environment will be held in Phoenix at the Mountain Preserve Reception Center.  It is being co-sponsored by the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Heartland National TB Center and was organized by ADC's own Medical Program Manager, James Baird. 

"The conference will be geared towards non-medical correctional staff, and the topics include information about TB and it's spread, transport of tuberculous patients, and contact investigations that must occur if a TB outbreak is suspected," Baird said.  "We hope to reduce the anxiety that occurs in correctional staff when they must have contact with a patient that has tuberculosis. It will be a very useful educational opportunity."

Invitees from ADC include correctional officers, their supervisors, Wardens, and selected Deputy Wardens. Other correctional entities are also being invited, including MCSO, Pima County Corrections, Pinal County Corrections, ICE, Federal Bureau of Prisons, and private correctional service providers. Additionally, representatives of each county public health department and each Arizona Native American tribe have been invited, as well as Indian Health Services staff.  A total of 250 are expected to attend.