CREATING A HEALTHIER COMMUNITY FROM PREVENTING COVID-19 TO PROMOTING FITNESS, THE COMMUNITY HEALTH TEAM IS IMPROVING THE WELL-BEING OF LONG BRANCH RESIDENTS. The Community Health and Social Impact & Community Investment team at Monmouth Medical Center (MMC) is raising awareness of COVID-19 prevention and addressing the needs of area children. Here are a few of its recent initiatives:
WALKING FOR WELLNESS
The Community Health team collaborated with the City of Long Branch Recreation Department to form a walking club to promote health and wellness. The one-mile walks, which took place on the Long Branch Boardwalk, were held weekly from March through April. (They were also held weekly in the fall of 2020.) Clinicians from MMC joined the groups and gave 10-minute talks. They included a nurse who spoke about emergency services, a physician who talked about the COVID-19 vaccine, a stroke program coordinator who spoke about heart health and the director of the Comprehensive Sleep Medicine Center. The program was a success, says Jean McKinney, Regional Director, Community Health and Social Impact & Community Investment. “Walking with others can turn exercise into an enjoyable social occasion and keep you motivated,” she says.
Interested in a Career in Healthcare? Opportunities in this field are endless.
ADDRESSING VACCINE HESITANCY IN OUR COMMUNITY
Wednesday, March 24 | 7 pm An inspirational and empowering career exploration event. This program is open to students in grades 5 - 12
CAREERS IN HEALTHCARE
In recognition of Women’s History Month, join: On March 24, MMC, with Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus, held a virtual career exploration event for students in grades 5 to 12. Goals were to introduce them to a range of careers and let them know that you don’t necessarily have to be a physician or a nurse to work in healthcare. The event featured a physician, an oncology nurse navigator, a director of human resources and an assistant director at the Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center. All of the presenters shared their personal journeys and discussed what it’s like to work in the field. More than 60 students from area schools attended. “It was the first time that we held a virtual program of this kind for students,” says Kelly DeLeon, MS, Manager of Community Health and Social Impact & Community Investment. “The kids were completely engaged and asked thoughtful questions about the premed track, the training required to become a radiology technician and how the presenters paid for their education.” The event was so successful that the hospital plans to host another seminar in the future. Melissa M. Gonzalez, MD RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group
Victoria Rivas, RN
Gail M. Russell
Oncology Nurse Navigator, Director, Cancer Services Human Resources Operations, RWJBH Southern Region
Dee Yard
Assistant Director, Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center
Registration Required: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcuf-yrrjMpGdAkfcNNYmkO4XswfmJJhwE7
The Community Health and Social Impact & Community Investment and Diversity and Inclusion departments held a series of virtual programs to address the issue of vaccine hesitancy, particularly among minority communities. Panelists included physicians, pharmacists and nurses who discussed and answered questions on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and the importance for the community to be vaccinated. The departments also collaborated with the City of Long Branch’s Health Department in a multidimensional cross-media promotional campaign to identify trusted local “Influencers” targeting all residents with a focus on those living below the poverty line and the city’s immigrant population. Campaign posters created in English, Spanish and Portuguese featured trusted community members along with Margaret C. Fisher, MD, Medical Director, Clinical and Academic Excellence at MMC, and Sharmine Brassington, MSN, RN, Director of Patient Care at the Emergency Department at MMC. Currently, staff members at both MMC and MMCSC are working with local organizations and food pantries serving vulnerable populations in assisting them with vaccination appointments.
For a complete list of Community Health Education programs, visit www.rwjbh.org/Monmouth and click on the calendar of events.
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