Julie Genova, the Health Department’s recently-hired community nurse, met with the Board of Health Monday for the first time and said she is “still in my meet-and-greet phase.”
It’s almost a full-time job just to schedule those meetings. “It’s really good to get to know everybody and how to weave good public health in these areas,” she said.
Genova listed the Health and Human Services Department social workers, school nurses, Bedford Housing Authority Executive Director Brenda Peacock, and pediatrician Dr. David Geller, medical consultant for the schools. She is also planning to connect with health personnel at Hanscom Air Force Base.
The new community nurse said she toured Carleton Willard village and is arranging for a visit to the VA Hospital. She also met with the administrators of Edinburg Center group homes and Minuteman Senior Services.
She said she conducted some blood-pressure screenings with Council on Aging staff. They’re just great – eager to have a nurse back in action,” she said. “Now we’re starting to talk about initiatives.”
Genova also networked with colleagues in the Massachusetts Health Officers Association and connected with the state Departments of Public Health and Elementary and Secondary Education, as well as epidemiologists in Boston,
Board Chair Susan Schwartz asked Genova if she heard a “common theme – other than Covid” – from people she has met.
Genova, who joined the Health Department in February after 10 years as the nurse at Concord’s Fenn School, said her question to everyone was, “What can I do for you? People have been in the trench of Covid and have not had the opportunity to think beyond that.”
“Everybody has been so busy dealing with the crisis, it has been nice being able to execute other public health initiatives,” she said.
For example, she said, the office has sent applications for summer camp permits. Also, the Concord organization Impact Melanoma will provide sunscreen dispensers at Depot Park, Sabourin Field, Springs Brook Park, and the children’s playground on Mudge Way beginning May 16. The nurse said she has ordered flu vaccine for fall clinics.
In answer to a question from member Maureen Richichi, Genova said there are some current influenza cases, but more serious are a few in which the victim also contracted Covid-19.
Mike Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected], or 781-983-1763
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