The Nutley Health Department reminds me of those old fashioned magicians, who manage to pull out not only rabbits but many other surprises from their bag of tricks.
But this team, lean and mean, is doing something much more than entertaining the crowds. The staff, though small, seems to pull off a giant array of miracles, including education and treatment, all the time. And sometimes, they just may save a life.
Visit the Nutley Health Department, and you will discover one spot in town where you can never outgrow their wide array of community services. Young or old, healthy or frail, the Nutley Health Department will assist you in most of your needs.
One major component that has strengthened this department in Nutley is that it is a shared service. Montclair and Nutley share their health departments, which allows for a much more in-depth range of health services.
Nurse services are shared as well. And, as per cost, this shared service idea has saved both towns significant amounts of money, while also allowing both towns to maximize every service and offer residents top notch services.
Susan Portuese, Health Officer, is Montclair’s Department Director. Since every town needs a health officer, Portuese is able to offer her services to both towns, which is not only cost effective but priceless when it comes to all kinds of services. These services work both ways, and on any given day, the health team will share insights, information and ideas with another in a seamless, successfull line of communication.
Did you know that you can learn about keeping yourself safe from mosquito bites or how to prepare for heavy rainstorms, via the in-depth articles the townships provide, free of charge? There are also health department videos on the Nutley and Montclair channel too.
Every school in Nutley is checked by this department. Audits are done in each school, and information on health issues such as the re-emerging and dangerous Whooping Cough or the serious seasonal flu are tracked closely.
These nurses do outreach programs, dealing with all kinds of outbreaks such as E.Coli or other health problems.
The Nutley Health Department’s emergency managemnet team is trained in bio-terrorism, and keeps up to date with this important training, enrolling in 40-hour training classes.
Animal Control, always a major issue in any town, is run by the Montclair offices, and is available for all your needs.
Right here in Nutley, there are also numerous clinics set up to handle many of your needs.
“We offer many clicnics,” noted Thomas Restaino, Public Health Coordinator.
Some of these clinics include the children’s and women's clinics and blood pressure clinics.
“We run these regularly,” said Peggy Brodowski RN- Montclair, Director of Nursing.
The children’s clinic offersimmunizations, free of charge, for uninsured children. In the women’s clinic, any woman who cannot afford their pap smear and/or a breast exam can also recieve them right on sight in Nutley. The Nutley Health Department also works hand in hand with “In the Pink”, located at St. Michael’s hospital in Newark. Their mission is to “ increase the proportion of age-appropriate men and women who are screened for breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancer by:
• Providing free screening and follow-up services to uninsured and underinsured men and women.
• Reaching out to engage high-risk men and women for screening services.
• Educating the public about the importance of cancer screening.
• Raising cancer screening protocol awareness among health professionals.”
And, if you need transportaion, this department will arrange it for you too.
Another fascinating tangent to this department may truly surprise you.
“We have a joint agreement with the Essex Regional Health Commission,” said Restaino.
This is a department that focuses on vital environmental information, supporting areas of pollution and air pollution.
The Nutley Health Department is als part of the Public Health Reserve Corp, a federatl program with chapters throughout the United States. This special group is abloe to come to life during emergencies, such as Hurricane Sandy,, and take action quickly.
Every emergency, from HINI to storms or any disaster, will call these Nutley health department experts into action.
If you are a senior citizen, the Senior Nurse, Kim Lewis RN will visit you, at your home, if you are unable to travel to the Nutley Health Department on Chestnut Street.
And, there is a Senior Call program run by Ashley DiBiazzi, who will follow up with senior citizens.
Every month, you can visit the offices and learn about numerous vital health issues, during their lecture series. From topics such as bone density to insomnia, there is something for everyone.
