Administrator: Jad Mihalinec
Health Officer: Jad Mihalinec
Registrar: Nives Beretin, CMR
Reg. Environmental Health Specialist: Branka Durovic
Public Health Nurse: Elaine Deramo, RN, BSN
Pediatrician: David Chung, MD
Address: 725 Slocum Ave., Ridgefield, NJ 07657
Phone: 201-943-6062
Fax: 201-943-5978
Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm
E-Mail:
The Ridgefield Board of Health's services are designed to motivate people towards behavioral change to prevent serious health problems through health promotion, early identification, disease prevention, and general health maintenance. All these programs of health promotion, along with encouragement of good pre-natal care and proper medical supervision of children, can and do lead to an improved level of health in the community as a whole.
The Board of Health is proud of the many important programs which have been developed over the past year to meet the growing needs of its residents. One of the most important functions of the Board of Health is the promotion of health and the prevention of illness among infants and pre-school age children. These are, after all, the formative years from which good health habits can be carried on for a lifetime. In an effort to maximize this invaluable service and reduce cost to the Borough, the Board of Health appointed Elaine Deramo, RN, BSN to lead the Public Health Nursing Services for the Borough. Ms. Deramo is a resident of Ridgefield for over 50 years and has an extensive educational and professional background with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.
The Board of Health is also proud of the appointment of Dr. David Chung, MD, to head the Child Health Conference and Immunization Clinic. Dr. Chung received his board certification by the American Board of Pediatrics in September 1993 and board certification by the American Board of Internal Medicine in October 1993. He also specializes in neurosurgery and is professionally affiliated with Holy Name and Englewood Hospitals.
Child Health Conference. The Child Health Conference continues on the second and fourth Friday of each month, from 8:30am-11am. The preventive health services are designed to monitor and improve the physical, mental, emotional, and social growth of all Ridgefield children from two months to five years of age. A team consisting of a pediatrician, health educator, and a public health nurse, is utilized to provide comprehensive well child-care.
All children who attend our Child Health Conference, including school age children, are given individualized attention by the examining physician and our public health nurse. All state-mandated immunizations are given, as well as Mantoux testing for tuberculosis. Parents are counseled by our physician and nurse on nutrition and other matters to promote proper growth and development. Infants and children in need of further testing or treatment are referred to their family physician or to hospital clinics.
Services provided include:
Physical examinations
Immunizations
Education
Child growth and development
Nutrition counseling
Lead screening
Vision and hearing screening
Hematocrits
Blood Pressure Screening
The public health nurse is available for blood pressure screening and weight & nutritional counseling every Tuesday from 11am-2pm.
Skin Cancer Screening
The Health Department periodically holds skin cancer screenings. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that 1 million Americans will be diagnosed with some type of skin cancer this year. Approximately, 54,000 new cases of the most serious form of cancer, melanoma, are expected to be diagnosed in 2004 and an estimated 8,000 will die. However, when detected early approximately 95% of these cancers can be cured.
For additional information, both the Guide to Community Preventive Services and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) offer valuable information.
Communicable Disease Surveillance
A team consisting of the Health Officer, Public Health Nurse, and Registered Environmental Health Specialist investigates and provides education on communicable diseases. This program is designed to investigate and provide surveillance of communicable diseases, i.e., hepatitis, salmonellosis, shigella and tuberculosis.
Tobacco Age of Sale Enforcement Program
The State of New Jersey and Ridgefield Health Department are actively enforcing the Tobacco Age of Sale laws through unannounced compliance check inspection visits to retail tobacco stores throughout Ridgefield. The enforcement program uncovered two retail food establishments (Spring 2004) that had sold cigarettes to underage youth. The sale of tobacco products to underage youth is illegal.
The Ridgefield Health Department urges all retailers to use the “Look, See Check ID” intervention when selling tobacco products
Look: Look directly at the person attempting to purchase the tobacco product.
See: See what the person looks like in detail. If you determine that they are or might be under the age of 18 years, ask the age.
Check ID: Request ID and make an accurate determination of the person's age. Refuse the sale if the person is under 18 years of age.
WHEN IN DOUBT ABOUT A PERSON'S AGE OR ID, REFUSE THE SALE!
Food Security Preventive Measures Guidance
To Retail Food Stores & Food Service Establishments: Please see the recently published booklet by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This guidance book offers preventive measures to minimize the risk of possible food tampering or other malicious actions by potential terrorists. You are encouraged to review the current procedures and controls in light of these threats. Share the concept with staff members and make/implement appropriate measures. Should you have any questions, please call the Health Department at 201-943-6062.
“The purpose of this event,” Borough Health Officer, Jad Mihalinec stated, “is to provide our residents with an array of health services and preventative screenings.” The basic goals are to improve health, reduce health care costs, and make Ridgefield a leader in community-based interventions.
Blood Pressure and weight screenings will again top the detection activities. Additional services will include free vision screen, free hearing screen, free spinal and scoliosis screen, free dental/oral cancer screen, free body fat analysis, nutritional counseling, free stroke risk assessment; including host of educational materials and information.
The low cost blood work (SMAC) of $20.00 is available to the public from 10:00AM - 12:00Noon. Additional request such as PSA test for men is also offered at low cost of $25.00, Cash or Check payable to HUMC. In order to achieve meaningful results the residents are requested not to eat or drink 12 hours prior to blood work.
In addition to these valuable health screening programs, the Board is sponsoring a community wide Blood Drive in an effort to help save the lives of New Jersey's residents. Eligible blood donors (17-75 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds) are advised to make an appointment but walk-ins are also welcomed to donate on October 20th, 2007 at Ridgefield Community Center/Health Department.
All participants will be eligible for great give-a-ways (mountain bike, sports equipment, gift certificates and prizes).
The Health Officer, Staff and Members of the Board of Health invite all residents to participate in this worthwhile Annual Community Event.
Please call our office at (201) 943 - 6062 for further information.
Hope to see you there.
RIDGEFIELD BOARD OF HEALTH OFFERS FLU AND PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATIONS
The Ridgefield Board of Health has announced that it will offer Influenza and Pneumococcal vaccinations to senior citizens sixty-five and over and adults suffering from chronic illness, according to Jad Mihalinec, Borough Health Officer. Inoculations will be given on Wednesday, October 3, 2007 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 NOON, Wednesday, October 10, 2007 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 NOON and Saturday, October 20, 2007 from 12:00 NOON to 1:00 PM at the Ridgefield Health Department, 725 Slocum Avenue.
Vaccination is recommended for adults who suffer with such chronic conditions as heart disease, pulmonary disorders, diabetes and kidney ailments. Vaccination is also recommended for senior citizens sixty-five and over because excessive mortality occurs in outbreaks of Influenza and Pneumonia in this age group, Mr. Mihalinec noted.
Flu vaccinations will also be offered to residents under sixty-five at a charge of twenty ($20) dollars. All participants must show proof of age and Ridgefield residency. Residents under sixty-five requesting the Pneumococcal vaccination must present a current note from their physician indicating the need for immunization. The fee for Pneumococcal vaccine is twenty-five ($25) dollars and free to Medicare recipients. Persons allergic to chicken, eggs, gentamycin, have a fever, respiratory infection, have received any other vaccine during the four days prior to the program, or have a past history of Guillian Barre Syndrome should not receive the vaccinations.
Mr. Mihalinec advises that flu vaccinations should be received by senior citizens and chronically ill residents annually. PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATION SHOULD ONLY BE RECEIVED ONCE AND SHOULD NOT BE READMINISTERED UNLESS RECOMMENDED BY YOUR PHYSICIAN.
The members of the Ridgefield Board of Health urge all senior citizens sixty-five and over to take advantage of these immunizations.
PRESS RELEASE:
RIDGEFIELD BOARD OF HEALTH TO HOLD FREE RABIES CLINIC FOR DOGS AND CATS
The Board of Health, Borough Health Officer, Jad Mihalinec announced its free rabies vaccination clinic for dogs and cats on Tuesday evening, June 19, 2007 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
The clinic will be located at the Ridgefield Ambulance Corps. Building, 403 Shaler Boulevard, and will be professionally staffed by Dr. Paul Kim, DVM.
The New Jersey State Department of Health recommends re-vaccination of dogs and cats every two years with a vaccine having three-year duration of immunity to insure a beneficial overlap of immunity. Puppies receiving their first immunization, which has duration of immunity for one year, can be re-vaccinated as soon as four weeks after the initial injection. Furthermore, in order to receive a Municipal Dog License, the dog owner must first supply a Rabies Vaccination Certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian indicating that the animal's duration of immunity extends throughout at least the first ten months (3/31/08) of the one-year license. Animals with a duration which expires prior to the ten months cut-off point (3/31/08), should receive a booster prior to licensing.
The Board of Health members urge all residents to take advantage of this free rabies clinic.
It is recommended that cats be brought in a cat carrier box, or be wrapped in a towel/pillow to provide security for the animal.
All licenses are due for renewal by June 30, 2007. A late fee of $10 will be charged after
July 31, 2007.
LICENSE FEE(S)
(Three-Year License 6/07 - 6/10) (One-Year License 6/07 - 6/08)
Sterilized dogs: $22.00 Sterilized dogs: $8.00
Non-Sterilized dogs: $31.00 Non-Sterilized dogs: $11.00
LATE FEE OF $10 AFTER JULY 31, 2007
Reminder to Animal Owners
Dear Animal Owner:
As you probably know, all Borough of Ridgefield animal licenses will expire on 6/30/07,
and must be renewed within thirty (30) days following the expiration date.
For your convenience, we have provided the attached renewal application. Please take the time to review the information regarding your pet. If you find any errors or omissions, please make the necessary corrections or additions in the space provided.
Once you have reviewed this information, please attach your check in the specified amount,
payable to Ridgefield Health Department and mail your remittance with a self-addressed stamped envelope to the above address.
Please note all renewals for 2007 license, (1 year license), must have a rabies expiration date of April 1, 2008 or later.
If you wish to obtain a 2010 license, (3 year license), must have a rabies expiration
date of April 1, 2010 or later.
Please attach a copy of your correct rabies vaccination certificate if it has been updated since the last renewal.
A $10.00 late fee will be assessed for all unlicensed animals beginning August 1, 2007.
Thank you for your cooperation. As always, should you have any questions or require assistance, please feel free to call my office at (201) 943 - 6062.
Very truly yours,
Jad Mihalinec, M.A.
Health Officer/Administrator
Ridgefield Announces Poison Prevention Week
National Poison Prevention Week, which this year will be observed during the week of March 18th - 24th, is an effort to draw attention to the fact that each year over a million cases of accidental poisoning occur, approximately 1,200 of which will be fatal. The tragic fact is that is that about 1/3 of these deaths involve children under five years of age and that most of these cases could have been prevented if parents and guardians had exercised care and common sense in the storage, handling and keeping of many common household items such as cleaning fluids, aspirin, perfumes and cough syrup, Borough Health Officer, Jad Mihalinec noted.
Most accidental poisonings take place in the most dangerous room in the house-the kitchen. The major trouble spot is the catch-all storage area under the sink where many people do not realize that many of these products are so powerful that even one teaspoonful swallowed by a child will severely burn the mouth, the throat, and even the stomach lining.
If this condition exists in your home, now is the time to change your storage habits. Place your pots and pans under the sink and remove all hazardous household chemicals to out of reach storage areas or locked cabinets.
Numerous accidental poisonings occur each year because many poisonous products, such as insect or rat poisons or gasoline, are stored in empty soda bottles or other familiar food containers. To a child, this is a familiar container that is used for soda or food and no matter how horrible it tastes or smells, he or she will drink or eat it none the less. All of these products carry identifying labels on their original packages and warnings regarding their use, but they are of little value to a child who can't read or a senior citizen who has failing eyesight or is forgetful.
Reduce the risk of a poisoning accident, Mr. Mihalinec said, by following these five basic safety precautions.
Never put a poisonous substance in a familiar food container, such as a soda bottle or candy box.
Never keep insect or rodent killers around food.
Handle pesticide and rodenticide in accordance with manufacturer's directions and store them under lock and key.
Store medicines and aspirins out of reach of children and never give or take any medicine in the dark.
Be sure to return all hazardous substances to the proper place after use.
If an accidental poisoning does occur in spite of your safety efforts, it is extremely important to act quickly. Don't wait for symptoms to occur; call your family doctor or the New Jersey State Department of Health Poison Control Hotline immediately. The poison control center provides specific information and treatment procedures on a wide variety of poisons that are of great help in any accidental poisoning. The toll free number for the center is 1-800-222-1222. This telephone number should be displayed prominently near your telephone.
Board of Health President, Gerome Ranieri, stated that poison control literature and pamphlets will be available at the Library and Borough Hall during Poison Prevention Week.
Reminder to Dog Owners
DOG OWNERS REMINDED TO REMOVE ANIMAL WASTE FROM PUBLIC AREAS
Local Ordinance# 992, Section 131-24, requires dog owners to remove all feces deposited by their dogs and dispose of same in a sealed plastic bag that should be placed in the dog owner's garbage or waste removal container. Dog owners are requested to refrain from walking their dogs in public parks, ball fields, school property and public sidewalks.
Furthermore, Ordinance# 992, Section 131-22, requires dog owners not to permit their dogs to run at large without a leash upon the public streets or in any public park in the borough.
Local Ordinance# 1281, Section 131-26: Any person found in violation of these articles shall be subject to a penalty consisting of a fine or imprisonment by the municipal judge.
Each and every day a violation continues shall be deemed to constitute a separate offense.
THESE ORDINANCES SHALL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED!
Forms will be uploaded soon if you need any of the forms below contact The Health Depratment
Phone: 201-943-6062
Fax: 201-943-5978
Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm
Marriage Licenses
Domestic Partnerships
Vital Records Request
Pandemic Flu Fact Sheet
Influenza (Flu) Vaccines
West Nile Virus
Keeping Food Safe
Rabies Information
Radon Testing
Board of Health Members
Board of Health Schedule
Download Forms & Documents
THE RIDGEFIELD HEALTH DEPARTMENT CAN PROVIDE INFORMATION ON A WIDE VARIETY OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. WE ALSO DIRECT CALLERS TO THE APPROPRIATE FEDERAL, STATE, COUNTY, LOCAL OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS WHICH WILL FULFILL THEIR NEEDS. Below IS JUST A FEW OF THE MANY RESOURCE AND REFERRAL SERVICES WE PROVIDE.