Trenton Health Team Executive Director Recognized by the New Jersey Association of County and City Health Officials for Contributions to Public Health in New Jersey
Trenton, New Jersey (PRWEB) December 01, 2014 -- The N.J. Association of County and City Health Officials (NJACCHO) recently awarded Trenton Health Team Executive Director Dr. Ruth Perry its Frank J. Osborne Memorial Award for the outstanding contributions she and THT have made to public health in New Jersey.
The Osborne Award has been granted annually since 1963 to individuals who have devoted their careers to addressing important community health issues, producing measurable results and building community collaboration.
“I’m honored to receive the Osborne Award, and we at the Trenton Health Team feel honored to be recognized for our efforts to improve the medical, social and environmental aspects of our community so that Trenton residents can live healthier lives,” said Dr. Perry.
Trenton Health Team projects use collaborative approaches and health information technology to target citywide health priorities that were identified through a combination of resident input and data from the healthcare, social service, government and faith-based partners that make up THT. Current citywide health priorities of THT are obesity and healthy lifestyles, substance abuse and behavioral health, safety and crime, health literacy and disparities and chronic disease.
“Dr. Perry’s work with the Trenton Health Team is an inspiration to those who are tackling the underlying causes of poor health, and those who are working to create a ‘Culture of Health’ in our communities,” said Stephanie D. Carey, President of NJACCHO.
THT is unique in its emphasis on working to improve health at both the individual and community levels. THT’s approaches combine public health’s focus on community-wide disease prevention and promotion of healthy lifestyles with the healthcare practitioners’ focus on each patient and the services needed to address individual health issues.
The intent behind blending public health and individual healthcare approaches is to provide residents with excellent healthcare while making their neighborhoods healthier places in which to live.
Trenton’s Division of Health has been a partner in THT since the organization’s inception. James Brownlee, Director of Health & Human Services, has worked closely with Dr. Perry to ensure that public health is part of THT’s initiatives. Over the last year Brownlee has served as the president of THT.
“I am pleased that this prestigious award recognizes the work of Dr. Ruth Perry and the Trenton health Team,” said Brownlee. “The city’s Department of Health and Human Services has greatly benefited from the collaboration of the two Trenton hospitals and the federally qualified health center in this integrated approach to health care, and in supporting our public health work.”
The award ceremony was held on November 19 as part of a full “Day of Health and Wellness” at the NJ League of Municipalities Conference in at the Atlantic City Convention Center. Around 150 health officials and other municipal officials from around the state attended.
About the N.J. Association of County and City Health Officials
NJACCHO is a private, nonprofit association of public health leaders and allied professionals established a century ago to help its members deliver ten recognized “Essential Public Health Services” needed to assure conditions in which people can be healthy, from their physical and mental health to their social well-being.
About the Trenton Health Team
Trenton Health Team (THT) is an alliance of the city's major providers of healthcare services including Capital Health, St. Francis Medical Center, Henry J. Austin Health Center and the city's Health Department. In collaboration with residents and the city's active social services network, THT is developing an integrated healthcare delivery system to transform the city's fragmented primary care system and restore health to the city. THT aims to make Trenton the healthiest city in the state. The THT receives generous support from The Nicholson Foundation, corporate partners and other foundations. For more information, visit http://www.trentonhealthteam.org.
Media queries, please contact: Becky Taylor, 609-240-6886, or becky(at)btaylorpa(dot)com
Becky Taylor, 609 240 6886, [email protected]
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