NEWS & UPDATES
NJAPHNA proudly celebrated Nurses Week and 35 years of incorporation with a memorable event at Seasons 52 in Princeton! Nearly 50 public health nurses and leaders gathered—including founding members, past presidents, and officers—to honor the legacy and future of the New Jersey Association of Public Health Nurse Administrators. The day began with introductions and remarks from past leaders, followed by a general meeting with updates from current president Agatha Reidy and committee chairs, including exciting developments around a new public health nurse training manual. Highlights included a nostalgic “Trip Down Memory Lane” with Jane Scarfo and Leslie Leonard, a reflection on “How We Became NJAPHNA” with Debbie Gash, and the announcement by Dana O’Connor that applications are now open for the Nurse of the Year and Partner of the Year awards. Attendees also enjoyed a lively round of Public Health Nursing Bingo, spotlighting the incredible work being done across the state. Special thanks to Agatha Reidy and Ann Jones for their heartfelt closing remarks. Here’s to the next 35 years of leadership in public health nursing!
NJAPHNA members - Christa Moor, Claudia Whitcraft, Dianne Bautista and Shu Chiang attended the 30th Annual Public Health Symposium at Rutgers University. The theme of the event was The Work Ahead: Practical Strategies for Long-Term Impact.
Pictured left to right: Public Health Nurse - Christa Moor of Monmouth County Health Department, Claudia Whitcraft of Camden County Department of Health, Dr. Mitchel A. Rosen, Director of Public Health Workforce Development; and Colleen McKay Wharton, Project Director, Community Living Education Project (CLEP). First row: Public Health Nurse - Dianne Bautista of Somerset County Health Department and Shu Chiang of Hunterdon County Health Department.
Pictured left to right: Public Health Nurse - Christa Moor of Monmouth County Health Department, Claudia Whitcraft of Camden County Department of Health, Dr. Mitchel A. Rosen, Director of Public Health Workforce Development; and Colleen McKay Wharton, Project Director, Community Living Education Project (CLEP). First row: Public Health Nurse - Dianne Bautista of Somerset County Health Department and Shu Chiang of Hunterdon County Health Department.
Public Health Nurses excelling in New Jersey COVID-19 Pandemic Response
Picture Left: Juliet Leonard, President of NJAPHNA and Shu Chiang, active member and webmaster promote New Jersey Associate of Public Health Nursing Administrators at governor Phil Murphy’s visit to a drive-thru COVID-19 Vaccine clinic.
Link to Governor Murphy’s visit at Hunterdon County Vaccine Clinic on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpJBHv_joAo
Picture Left: Juliet Leonard, President of NJAPHNA and Shu Chiang, active member and webmaster promote New Jersey Associate of Public Health Nursing Administrators at governor Phil Murphy’s visit to a drive-thru COVID-19 Vaccine clinic.
Link to Governor Murphy’s visit at Hunterdon County Vaccine Clinic on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpJBHv_joAo
The New Jersey Association of Public Health Nurse Administrators (NJAPHNA) designated Deborah Gash of Columbus, NJ as the 2019 NJ Public Health Nurse of the Year. This honor is given to a member of NJAPHNA who not only demonstrates expertise in the clinical nursing practice of public health, but is a visionary, leader, teacher and role model as well. Currently employed by The College of New Jersey as a Nursing Professor and formerly employed as a Public Health Nurse in East Windsor, Ms. Gash has been involved in public health nursing for many years.In nominating Ms. Gash for this award, Dana Ann O’ Connor, RN, BSN, Public Health Nurse in Long Beach Island, noted that Ms. Gash “has shown the utmost professionalism and grace within the Public Health Nursing Community! We are proud to have her skills and expertise at the New Jersey Association of Public Health Nurse Administrators.” Furthermore, the Vice President of NJAPHNA, Juliet Leonard, RN states, “In addition to her time in Public Health, Debee also encourages and educates those around her. As former President of the New Jersey Association of Public Health Nurse Administrators, Debee has advocated for Public Health Nursing, shown encouragement to those new to the field and revealed she truly cares about its future by exposing young minds to the field.” Debee Gash, RN, received the award from President Ditty Mae Jankauskas RN, MSN, CRNP, during the Public Health Nursing Summit 2019.
In collaboration with Rutgers School of Public Health, The New Jersey Association of Public Health Nurse Administrators held its 15th Annual Public Health Nursing Summit, “Seeing Our Communities Through A Wider Lens.” At the Middlesex Fire Academy, Public Health Nurses from across the state of New Jersey gathered to brainstorm ideas to better understand and serve their communities. The meeting began with a discussion with Dr. Thomas Lind regarding Primary Care Providers responsibility toward Medicaid patients and vaccinating New Jersey’s youth. Bob Atkins, PhD, RN, FAAN, Director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and member of New Jersey Health Initiatives discussed moving from a culture of healthcare to a culture of health. A panel discussion regarding New Jersey’s culture of Health was very thought provoking and productive; the panelists consisted of Kenneth Morris, Jr., MHA, MA Vice President, External Affairs, St. Joseph’s Health; Marge Drozd MSN, RN, APRN-BC Director, Community Health Services, St. Peter’s University Health; and Kathryn Whitehead, BSN, RN Public Health Nursing Supervisor, Hanover Township Health Dept. Networking with lunch took place following the panel discussion where nurses from across New Jersey shared experience and information. The afternoon speakers consisted of Toni Lewis, MPH, Health Officer and Community Health Strategist at the National Network of Public Health Institute and Peter A. Curatolo, M.Ed, Chief of Administrative Services at the Ocean County Health Department who discussed the role of a Public Health Nurse in forging new partnerships throughout the community. This year’s summit was a success and we look forward to next year.
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