HUNTERDON HEALTH DEPARTMENT WATER EXPERT RECOGNIZED

Debra Vaccarella (center), senior registered environmental health specialist with the Hunterdon County Department of Health, was recognized by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for her commitment to environmental excellence in the Safe Drinking Water program. Presenting the award is Deborah Pinto (left), Chief of the Office of Local Environmental Management, and John Castner (right), director with the N.J. DEP. Each year, the department honors the outstanding work of individuals and programs whose efforts protect public health and the environment and are funded through the County Environmental Health Act. The Department selects award recipients from experts nominated by CEHA agencies and local health department managers and staff.

BEEF RECALL HAS HUNTERDON IMPACT

Carla Hobbs, (right) director of the Environmental Health division, was featured on Comcast network’s CN8 Newsmakers to report on the affects of the recent 143 million pound beef recall had in Hunterdon County.  Hobbs explained to Comcast viewers and show host, Autumn Marisa (right) that this recall — the largest in U.S. history — required the county health department to work directly with schools to ensure that any possibly contaminated beef was eliminated from food preparation processes.

COVER UP

Making sure their time in the sun is fun in the sun, Tahne Green (right) is taking all the proper steps to avoid excessive sun exposure for her sons, 23-month-old Colin (left), and his 4 year old brother, Tyler (center). Applying SPF 30 sunscreen, sun hats, shirts and towels, these Flemington-Raritan pool goers are ready for action.  Colin even sports a UV bracelet that changes color to indicate how much time he is in the sun.  These are all important steps promoted by the Screen program through the Hunterdon County Department of Health.

BLUE BUCKET HAT SUN DAY

Captured at play on a Renoir-like sunlit day (click image for larger illustration), third graders at Califon Public School don their blue Sun Safe Hunterdon bucket hats for outdoor activities, part of an early start initiative by the Hunterdon County Cancer Coalition to raise awareness about the dangers of skin cancer.  County skin cancer rates are higher than N.J. and national averages. Read more.......

HUNTERDON COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER LEADS STATEWIDE ASSOCIATION

Health officer and director of the Hunterdon County Department of Health, John Beckley, now has a broader platform from which to share his vast experience and leadership in public health. Beckley recently was elected president of the New Jersey Association of County Health Officers. The alliance comprises members representing 23 regional public health organizations across the state, including county health departments, regional health commissions and specially designated city health agencies. President Beckley is already leading the association in designing protocol and expanding its influence to deliver effective public and environmental health programs to the residents of New Jersey. This includes direct meetings with the Commissioners of Health and Senior Services, and the Department of Environmental Protection.

WINNING IMAGE OF MENTAL HEALTH

Using art to educate the public about mental health issues, a poster contest was sponsored by the Partnership for Health Mental Health action team.  Displaying the winning artwork are (left to right) Cathy Zahn, Department of Human Services; Senator Leonard Lance; Nancy Brown, Consumer Advocate and member of the mental health board; and Larry Cartwright, President of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Hunterdon Chapter.  Senator Lance helped judge the competition held at Hunterdon Behavioral Health in Hunterdon Medical Center. NAMI awarded first place $300, second place $200, and third place $100.  Contest posters will be on display May 1 at the Mental Health Forum in the County Complex on Rt. 12 and at other venues throughout the county.

FROM THE HEART, ABOUT THE HEART

Lisamarie Buckley (left), MS, RN, director of the Cardio Pulmonary Rehab and Cardiovascular Action Team chair for the Partnership for Health, and Marianne McEvoy (right), RN, director of the Public Health Nursing & Education division of the county health department used the power of radio to talk to residents about heart health.  This cardiovascular program is one of a continuous series of health shows featured on WDVR-89.7FM.  To learn more about a healthy heart, see the Community Health Improvement Plan