HEALTHCARE
HEALTHCARE
Health Commissioner Enlists Business Executives as Allies
By Diane C . Walsh Editor , COMMERCE
NJ Health Commissioner Judith M . Persichilli considers the business community an ally in her department ’ s mission to ensure the state ’ s 9.1 million residents lead long healthy lives .
In an interview with COMMERCE Magazine , the commissioner said she believes the business sector “ understands and embraces that our employees are our most valuable asset , and we owe them a certain level of vigilance .”
Employers are keenly positioned to educate their workforce about infection prevention and control . In the workplace , the commissioner emphasized there must be good regular cleanings , proper ventilation , and sanitary procedures , she said . The crucial role business leaders play was most dramatically on display during the pandemic when many offices , stores and other jobs sites were forced to shut down for extended periods and essential businesses took extraordinary measures to safeguard workers and the community at large .
Long Covid symptoms are varied and can include aches and pain , exhaustion , and " brain fog " that cause disruptions in work and home life .
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / Jean-Francois Bergeron
“ Our obligation to our employees is not only to educate and train but really promote and encourage employees to take care of themselves ,” Persichilli said . Self-care includes regular health check-ups and screenings , enabling individuals to protect themselves and everyone else in their household , she said .
The state looked to Persichilli throughout the pandemic as she and Gov . Phil Murphy gave regular updates on the spread of the deadly coronavirus and what was being done to combat it . She was on the job only a few months when the first COVID case was diagnosed on March 4 , 2020 . To shepherd the state through this tumultuous time , Persichilli said she drew upon “ absolutely every experience ” in her professional career .
Before joining Gov . Murphy ’ s cabinet , she was acting CEO of University Hospital in Newark , a state-owned 519-bed teaching hospital that also serves as the northern region ’ s trauma center . Most of her career was spent in executive positions within the Catholic Health East hospital network and its successors . She was president emerita of CHE Trinity Health , the health ministry formed in May 2013 by the consolidation of Catholic Health East and Trinity Health of Livonia , MI . Earlier in her career Persichilli was CEO of St . Francis Medical Center in Trenton for eight years .
In 2006 the commissioner was inducted into the NJ State Nurses Association Hall of Honor . She received her nursing diploma from St . Francis Hospital School of Nursing ; a bachelor of science in nursing summa cum laude from Rutgers University ; and a master of arts in administration summa cum laude from Rider University .
When Persichilli discusses the lessons learned from the pandemic , foremost is the rapid , unpredictable and unprecedented way in which the virus spread , especially through asymptomatic people . The experience underscored the importance of information and data to develop effective strategies . The business community has an important role in curtailing any future outbreaks or public health emergencies by reporting any alarming situation to local health authorities , she said .
With more than 100 local health departments across the state , Persichilli said anytime an employer suspects a health risk or sees a pattern with sick employees “ the first thing to do is pick up the phone .”
More than 2.5 million cases of COVID were diagnosed in New Jersey and 36,000 people died from the virus . Thankfully , fatalities and
Judith M . Persichilli , New Jersey Health Commissioner
incidents of infection have declined dramatically in recent months . The efficiency of vaccines and therapies enabled the federal government to declare an end to the public emergency in May .
Even though COVID has not be eradicated , healthcare professionals can now manage it and Persichilli is looking forward to a time when it will be treated like the seasonal flu outbreaks . She suspects that is several years away , however , as the trajectory of the virus continues to be monitored .
Meanwhile , the commissioner said “ Long COVID ” continues to be a concern , especially in the business community as employers struggle with its effects on the workforce . Long COVID is understood as the lingering effects from the virus , such as aches , pains or “ brain fog ,” which continue for weeks or months after the initial diagnosis . Persichilli said her department can now track its occurrence because a “ diagnostic code ” has been developed for it . “ We have to continue to educate people that it is a real issue ,” said the commissioner , who added that preliminary reports show 10 to 15 percent of the population is suffering from some form of Long COVID .
18 COMMERCE www . commercemagnj . com