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By CECE TODD; Times Leader Staff Writer
Friday, April 05, 1996 Page: 3A
WILKES-BARRE — It was the event that almost wasn’t.
Public health nurses with the Luzerne County State Health Center held an
open house Thursday, despite efforts by the state Department of Health last
week to cancel the event.
Gov. Tom Ridge announced in February his intention to close the state’s 60
health centers and contract public health services to private health care
providers.
About 70 people visited the open house at the Wilkes-Barre center on Main
Street. The event was in recognition of National Public Health Week, April
1-7.
“We look at the whole community as our patient, rather than just the
individual,” said Joanne Kemmerer-Namey, a community health nurse, as she gave
tours.
When someone is bitten by an animal the public health nurses help determine
if rabies shots are needed. They educate patients about which animals are at
risk for carrying the disease.
More than 900 incidents of animal bites were reported to the Luzerne County
Center last year. Of those, 113 required community health nurse intervention,
counseling and referral for rabies shots.
When teenagers want a gynecological exam or to be tested for sexually
transmitted diseases, they know they can have the tests done free and
confidentially at the health center.
Adults who are uninsured also seek out the health center for free tests.
Last year, the center tested and counseled 285 people for HIV, the virus that
causes AIDS.
The center investigated 1,896 incidents of reportable diseases — from
tuberculosis to mumps.
Other services provided by the staff of five nurses and three secretaries
include tuberculosis skin tests in school districts, tests and preventive
services for childhood lead poisoning, and orthopedic services.
TIMES LEADER/RICHARD SABATURA
Joanne Kemmerer-Namey, a community health nurse for the state Department of
Health, explains how the Luzerne County State Health Center serves the
community. The nurse was giving tours during an open house in recognition of
National Public Health Week.