Essex County and Montclair State University have partnered to establish New Jersey’s first countywide academic health department.
The agreement, described as “a significant advancement in public health collaboration,” formalizes an existing relationship and aims to enhance research, education and workforce development in the field of public health.
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. and Montclair State University President Jonathan Koppell made the announcement on Thursday.
“Montclair State has always been a great partner with us, and their involvement and presence in the community is second to none,” DiVincenzo said in a statement.
“Combining the talent and resources of both our institutions will enhance the outreach and service we provide to our residents, develop innovative approaches to enhance wellness and preparedness, and create a pipeline to develop future public health officials,” he added.
The partnership is intended to enable the county and university to create a coordinated approach to preventing disease, promoting wellness, and preparing for emergencies by combining practical experience from county public health officials with academic insight from university faculty and students.
Koppell said the collaboration reflects the university’s commitment to community-based partnerships.
“We are proud to expand our myriad of partnerships with Essex County and grateful to County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo for recognizing what is possible when academic expertise of our Department of Public Health is aligned with Essex County’s forward-thinking leadership,” the university president said in a statement.
A key component of the agreement creates internship opportunities for Montclair State students to gain hands-on experience with the county health office. Interns will be involved in data collection and analysis, assist with public health programs and outreach initiatives, and participate in public advocacy and emergency preparedness.
Maya Harlow, Essex County public health officer and director of the county’s Office of Public Health Management, praised the partnership as bringing “two public health powerhouses together in a relationship that will benefit our residents.”
The Essex County health office played a major role in organizing and administering the county’s COVID-19 testing and vaccination program during the pandemic.
Through a partnership with RWJBarnabas Health, the county has also established mobile outreach programs and student vaccination clinics.
MSU’s Department of Public Health has trained New Jersey’s public health workforce for decades, with alumni in leadership roles across the state addressing challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, maternal and child health issues, and tobacco and substance use reduction.
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