IPSWICH — Town Manager Anthony Marino and Public Health Director Colleen Fermon wish to thank and recognize local public health nurses in honor of National Nurses Week.
National Nurses Week runs from May 6-12 in honor of Florence Nightingale, whose birthday marks the end of the event.
“Public health nurses play a vital role in the communities they work in, a fact that’s even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Fermon said. “I hope you will join us in expressing our gratitude for Ipswich’s Public Health Nurse Pamela Lara, as well as the three others — Jennifer Reed, Paula Butt and Sharon Gallant– who have joined us temporarily to help with contract tracing efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The case investigations and contract tracing work have become key aspects of many local public health nurses jobs in the state.
When a person tests positive for COVID-19, a public health nurse will reach out to them by phone, as well as individuals they have come into close contact with in order to slow the spread.
During these calls, public health nurses are also tasked with ensuring that people’s medical needs are being met and that they are supported while in isolation or quarantine.
Information shared during the call is strictly confidential and is treated as private medical information.
“Our Public Health Department, especially the nurses who work there, play a critical role in supporting the health of the entire community,” said Town Manager Marino. “We are proud of the incredible work they do and want to honor them during National Nurses Week.”
As the Public Health Nurse, Lara’s work also includes vaccine management, an annual Influenza immunization clinic, monthly wellness clinics, an annual dental clinic, biannual meetings with the school nurses and school physician, providing health education and promoting disease prevention programs.
For more information about National Nurses Week, visit the American Nurses Association (ANA) website here.