NEWS & UPDATES
2024 General Meeting and Holiday Luncheon
The NJAPHNA year-end meeting was held on November 15, 2024, focusing on public health nurse (PHN) practice and services. The meeting began with NJAPHNA President Agatha Reidy, RN, MSN, MSHA, NE-BC, discussing PHN qualifications and practice standards.
This was followed by a series of presentations from public health nurses from Burlington County Virtua Health, showcasing various PHN services:
Following the presentations, members enjoyed a holiday luncheon, providing an opportunity to network, discuss public health issues, and exchange ideas.
The NJAPHNA year-end meeting was held on November 15, 2024, focusing on public health nurse (PHN) practice and services. The meeting began with NJAPHNA President Agatha Reidy, RN, MSN, MSHA, NE-BC, discussing PHN qualifications and practice standards.
This was followed by a series of presentations from public health nurses from Burlington County Virtua Health, showcasing various PHN services:
- Emergency Preparedness by Susan Fabrizio, RN
- Lead Program by Lisa Welsh, RN, BSN
- Improved Pregnancy Outcomes Program by Nicole Jones, RN, BSN
- Sexually Transmitted Illness (STI) Program by Janet Bader, RN, and Agatha Reidy, RN, MSN, MSHA, NE-BC.
Following the presentations, members enjoyed a holiday luncheon, providing an opportunity to network, discuss public health issues, and exchange ideas.
Coronavirus - COVID-19
- CDC Resource: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- CDC Public Health Resource: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/hcp/index.html
- NJDOH COVID Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/
- NJ COVID Dashboard: https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/covid2019_dashboard.shtml
- Additional Guidance and Resource https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml
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.
2018 Public Health Partner of the Year award
NJAPHNA presented the 2018 Public Health Partner of the Year Award to Jenish Sudhakaran, MPH, Population Assessment Coordinator, Vaccine Preventable Program, New Jersey State Department of Health (NJDOH). Jenish has always recognized Public Health Nurses as the boots on the ground. She is a supporter of PHNs and values our input. Ms. Sudhakaran has worked tirelessly to perfect immunization auditing practices in New Jersey. Immunization regulations and immunization auditing forms health departments utilize, have been updated to ensure collection of useful and meaningful data. This includes immunization coverage rates among children in preschool/daycare and schools at the local, state, and national level. Receipt of this prestigious award is in recognition of her collaboration and positive impact on the Public Health Nursing community.
NJAPHNA presented the 2018 Public Health Partner of the Year Award to Jenish Sudhakaran, MPH, Population Assessment Coordinator, Vaccine Preventable Program, New Jersey State Department of Health (NJDOH). Jenish has always recognized Public Health Nurses as the boots on the ground. She is a supporter of PHNs and values our input. Ms. Sudhakaran has worked tirelessly to perfect immunization auditing practices in New Jersey. Immunization regulations and immunization auditing forms health departments utilize, have been updated to ensure collection of useful and meaningful data. This includes immunization coverage rates among children in preschool/daycare and schools at the local, state, and national level. Receipt of this prestigious award is in recognition of her collaboration and positive impact on the Public Health Nursing community.
FIGHT FLU- HEALTH PROMOTION MESSAGES: THE NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE ADMINISTRATORS IS THE ONE VOICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES IN NEW JERSEY... WITH A MESSAGE TO HELP PREVENT FLU IN YOUR COMMUNITY. GET YOUR FLU SHOT EVERY YEAR, WASH YOUR HANDS AND STAY HOME IF YOU ARE ILL. LET'S STAY HEALTHY, NEW JERSEY.
- Welcome and Support letter to Governor Phil Murphy and administration
- The New Jersey Association of Public Health Nurse Administrators supports the New Jersey Health and Human Services Legislative Committee in its decision to Marshall NJ Bill A 3818. Click here to view support letter.
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