News

Health Department offers Be Healthy in ’23 series at local libraries

By

NEW CITY, NY, – Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announce the Be Healthy in ‘23 public health information and education series starting January! The Finkelstein Memorial Library will host the Rockland County Department of Health on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 – 6:30 pm. Health department employees will be in the library’s lobby, offering information, resources, and takeaways on various health topics to help Rockland residents live healthier lives.

In 2022, the library served as a center for COVID-19 information reaching patrons who may not have had access to traditional or social media news.  Health Department staff visiting the library on Wednesday evenings are multi-lingual, which benefits patrons.

Laura Wolven, Finkelstein Memorial Library Director, stated, “The library has and continues to be a trusted, familiar destination in the village. The partnership between the library and the health department expanded the library’s role as a center for community information. We continue to grow our educational resources with many relevant wellness books in our catalogue/collection, but we also collaborate with amazing partners like the health department to bring services directly to the community. The library looks forward to hosting the health department in 2023!”  

“The health department continues to partner with various community organizations to reach residents where they live, work, learn, play, and pray.  Being present in public spaces offers residents an opportunity to interact with reputable public health professionals who share accurate and timely information and resources. In addition, patrons have a one-on-one chance to learn about the many prevention programs and health services the Rockland County Health Department offers to residents for free or low-cost,” said Dr. Ruppert.

The health department is expanding this outreach and education to other libraries in Rockland. The health department will also be at the following libraries: Nanuet, Nyack, and Haverstraw King’s Daughters main library in Garnerville. Stay current on our events by following us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/rockhealth or https://twitter.com/rockhealth.  Join us at Finkelstein Memorial Library Lobby on Wednesday, January 25th, from 5:30 -6:30 pm for our Kickoff to Health! We’ll have some inspiring healthy giveaways such as portion plates, infusing flavor water bottles, lunch totes, and other items to start you off to a Healthier 23!

The Be Healthy in ‘23 information and education series will include the following topics:

  • January – Cervical Health, Smoking Cessation, Prevent Birth Defects, Healthier Starts with You
  • February – Heart Health, Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs
  • March – Nutrition, Kidney Health, Sodium/Salt Awareness
  • April – Minority Health, Public Health
  • May – Vector Borne Diseases and Health Literacy
  • June – Summer Safety
  • July – Eye Injury Prevention, Summer Food Safety, Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program
  • August – Breastfeeding Awareness, Immunizations
  • September – Hunger Awareness, Women’s Health, Falls Prevention, Alzheimer’s, Pedestrian Safety
  • October – Influenza Vaccination, Breast Cancer Awareness, Fire Prevention, and Pedestrian Awareness
  • November – Diabetes Awareness
  • December – World AIDS Day, Healthier Holidays, Fire Safety, Impaired Driving Prevention, Toy and Gift Safety

For more information about health topics and programs from your local health department, visit the Rockland County Department of Health website at http://rocklandgov.com/departments/health/.

Hoag presented with NY State Empire Award

By

“It was a pleasure to present a NY State Empire Award to Risa B. Hoag, Founder and President of GMG Public Relations, Inc., in Nyack. Through her leadership in Rockland organizations, Ms. Hoag supports local small businesses and non-profits with her public relations, marketing and social media expertise, and during the height of COVID, she advised businesses on pivoting where necessary to stay afloat,” stated Senator Reichlin-Melnick.

A lifelong resident of Rockland, Hoag established GMG in 1991. She is a co-founder of the Greater Nanuet Chamber of Commerce and Past President of Rockland Business Women’s Network and served on the board of Meals on Wheels, creating and chairing their annual gala. She also serves on the board of the Rockland Community Foundation.

“Owning a small business means you are always on call, always working long hours, trying to find time to balance everything. And yet, finding time to give back to your community is so important. It makes all the long hours worth it when you contribute to something bigger than you and help enact change or support people who might not be as fortunate. I’m grateful to have been able to do my small part over the past 30 years,” states Hoag.

Risa has more than 35 years of experience in public relations and marketing. Prior to founding GMG Public Relations in 1991, she was a Director of Public Relations with Ernst & Young with responsibility for media placement, writing feature articles and press releases, developing and coordinating special events, market research, and the design and placement of advertising.

Hoag held numerous board positions with the Westchester Association of Women Business Owners (WAWBO) over a fifteen-year period including President and twice received the organization’s President’s Award. She also co-founded Partnership For A Better Westchester in 1997 and is a past Public Relations Chairperson for the Advertising Club of Westchester as well as a past Vice President of the Tappan Zee International Trade Association. She has served on the board of the Orange & Rockland Community Investment Committee, and recently chaired the Marketing and Communications subcommittee of the Clarkstown Business and Economic Development Advisory Committee. She has served as a mentor to Rockland Community College students and to female students through The Gerald P. Buccino Center for Leadership Development at Seton Hall University’s Stillman School of Business.

Risa is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and a recognized seminar leader, presenting numerous public relations, marketing and social media workshops. An accomplished business writer and source, Risa has appeared on several radio and television programs and has been quoted and featured in numerous national and local publications. She is a member of the 2018 Class of Leadership Rockland and was the recipient of the RBWN Service Woman of the Year Award in 2017. She has also been honored with the 2019 Lillian Vernon Award for Community Service from the Women’s Enterprise Development Center and she received a 2019 Distinguished Service Award from the County of Rockland for her dedication and Community Service. Her company information can be found at www.gmgpr.com.

Translate »