Community Outreach Committee (COC)
2002 Community Outreach Summary

2002 was a year of continued progress for the University Hospital Community Outreach Committee (COC).

The committee, which consists of physicians, nurses, technicians, health educators and other staff, serves as an important link between the hospital and the community.

UH supported the Donna T. Darrien Sickle Cell Walk, which was Newark's first walk-a-thon for sickle cell anemia. Pictured here is our own Simone Johnson
with her son David, who has sickle cell anemia.

Throughout the past year, the COC delivered hundreds of free health education programs and screenings to adults and children in Newark and surrounding communities--a task that enabled them to teach thousands how to lead healthier lives.

There was the woman who finally gathered enough courage to get an HIV test. There was also another woman who was rushed to the hospital, discovering for the first time that she had diabetes. The other “silent killer,” hypertension, misled someone else into thinking that his blood pressure was under control until he had it checked at one of
our health fairs.

These scenarios are real, and there are many more like them. Some have good outcomes, others are not as pleasant. At University Hospital, our goal is to teach the community that good health does not have to be a mystery, and that these scenarios can have healthy outcomes.

Our community outreach partnership with New Community Corp. included free monthly health screenings at the Bergen Street Pathmark. At the glaucoma screening in February Robert Fetchner, MD consults with a screening participant.


Outreach at a Glance
In 2002, University Hospital:
1. Took part in 48 health fairs where we screened 5,200 people and gave information to another 2,000

2. Sponsored 29 hospital tours for 585 students; 14 tours for 205 pre-school children

3. Participated in 7 career days with 199 students

4. Walked in 3 walk-a-thons
8,000 people served!

“Two Heads are Better than One”
It may be an old cliche, but it is true. With the health needs of the community constantly changing and growing, the hospital continues to seek creative ways to meet those needs effectively and economically.

In 2002, our search led us to partner with two organizations with similar community outreach objectives: New Community Corporation (NCC)
and the American Stroke Association.


Doreen Monks, APN, Stroke Service was the spokesperson for stroke community outreach and completed 23 stroke lectures throughout the city.

Our partnership with NCC consisted of free, monthly health screenings at the Bergen Street Pathmark of which NCC is majority owner; and a medical column in the organization’s monthly newspaper, which has a circulation of 40,000. Monthly topics included glaucoma, breast cancer, stroke,
cholesterol, HIV/AIDS, and a healthy cooking demonstration.

The American Stroke Association, A Division of American Heart Association, Newark/Essex Operation Stroke worked with us during our stroke education campaign by providing literature, speaking opportunities and training programs. This five month initiative taught the community the signs and symptoms of stroke and also stressed the importance of calling 9-1-1 if a stroke is suspected. The campaign consisted of 23 stroke lectures (led by Doreen Monks, APN, Stroke Service) special events and advertising.

Other 2002 Highlights
5th Annual National Cancer Survivors’ Day Picnic
The Cancer Program celebrated hundreds of cancer survivors at this annual gathering. Spirits were lifted as men and women gave testimonials on how they've beaten the cancer odds and been blessed with a second chance at life.

African Heritage Parade and Health Fair
Being a member of the University Hospital
Community Outreach Committee does have its advantages. Just ask Julio Colon from Orthopaedics. Julio met New Jersey’s own Governor Jim McGreevey at the African Heritage Parade and Health Fair -- a parade that celebrates African Americans and is the largest of its kind in the state. “I couldn't believe it, said Julio!”

“Take the Test, Take Control"-- 2nd Annual Latino HIV/AIDS Awareness Festival
The Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine (DAYAM) sponsors this festival to promote National HIV/AIDS Testing Day among Latinos and African-Americans -- two groups that continue to be the most affected by the disease. Community-based agencies participated as well.

Homeless Services Day at Newark Emergency Services for Families
The hospital worked with the New Jersey Dental School when they attended Homeless Services Day at Newark Emergency Services for Families (NESF).

“Ohh, My Back Hurts!”
This lecture on back pain was part of a new Employee Lecture Series designed exclusively for UMDNJ employees. These campus-based talks were given on the first Monday of each month and helped employees learn more about podiatry, menopause, bloodless surgery and a number of other topics.

It was our pleasure to serve you!
Acme Bonding
American Cancer Society
African Heritage Parade
American Stroke Association
Anheuser Busch
Babyland
Bethany Senior Center
Branch Brook Senior Center
Broadway House
Burnett Street School
Casa Mia
Community Help for Inner City People
Donna T. Darrien Memorial Foundation for
Sickle Cell
Elmwood United Presbyterian Church
Essex County College
Essex County Dept. of Citizen Services
FOCUS Community Health Center
Friendly Fuld Neighborhood Center
Grace Community Lutheran Church
Happy Days Adult Day Care
Harriet Tubman School
Hispanic Issues Empowerment Conference
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield
Humanity Baptist Church
JFK Recreation Center
Liberation in Truth Church
Lincoln Park Towers
MBNA
Martin Luther King, Jr. School
NCCJ
NJCRI
National Assoc. for the Advancement of
Colored People
National Assoc. of Negro Business and
Professional Women’s Clubs
National Islamic Center
New Born Holy Church
New Hope Baptist Church
New Jersey Black Issues Convention
Newark Adult Learning Center
Newark Emergency Services for Families
Newark Festival of People
Newark Housing Authority/Bradley Court
Newark Museum
Newark Public Library
New Community Corporation
New Community Commons Seniors
New Community Manor
New Community Recreation Center
New Community Douglas Homes
New Community Roseville
New Jersey Transit
Our Lady of Good Counsel Church
Peshine Avenue Schools
Public Service Electric and Gas Company
Quitman Street School
Sheefa Wellness Center
South Orange/Vailsburg United Methodist
Church
St. Columba Neighborhood Corp.
St. Stephen’s Church
Seth Boyden Elderly
Stephen Crane Elderly
United Community Corporation
Superior Court of New Jersey
Union Chapel AME Church
United States District Court
United Deliverance Tabernacle Church
University Family Practice Center at
Vailsburg
University High School
Villa Victoria
Verizon
Welcome Baptist Church
West Ward Cultural Center
Windsor Gardens

University Hospital would like to thank the following staff members for their commitment to community outreach excellence: