Monday, November 8, 2004

Levinson Nominates Patricia Diamond as Division Director of Public Health

Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson has nominated Deputy Public Health Officer Patricia Diamond of Northfield to the position of Division Director of Public Health. The division promotes health and wellness and provides regional public health services to county municipalities. In addition, the division works closely with law enforcement, emergency management and community health partners to provide countywide emergency preparedness and response.

Diamond has served as the Deputy Public Health Officer for the last five years during which time she managed the Environmental Health Unit and assisted in the development of the county's Bioterrorism Preparedness Plan. She assumed the role of Acting Public Health Officer on October 1, 2004 upon the retirement of former Public Health Officer Tracye McArdle.

"Patti is extremely competent and experienced. In the past month she has successfully managed a bacterial meningitis case and the flu vaccine clinics and coordinated a bioterrorism exercise - nothing short of a baptism under fire," stated Levinson. "She has demonstrated sound judgment and responsibility in her dealings with the staff as well as the community. I am pleased to promote her to this position."

Diamond began her tenure with the Division of Public Health in 1981 as a sanitary inspector responsible for communicable disease investigations. In 1986 she was promoted to environmental health coordinator and developed policies and procedures for the Environmental Health Unit. Prior to these positions, she served as a registered nurse at Burdette Tomlin Hospital in Cape May County and as a health educator and planner with the Long Beach Island Health Department.

Diamond earned a bachelor's degree in health science/education from Trenton State College in 1975 and an associate's degree in nursing from Atlantic Cape Community College in 1980. She also holds a master's degree in public health from Temple University.

She is a member of the American Public Health Association, the New Jersey Environmental Health Association and the Central Atlantic States Association of Food and Drug Officials. She also contributes her time to the NorLin Point Girl Scout Association and the Northfield All Sports Association.

Diamond's appointment requires the advice and consent of the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

For more information, please contact Howard J. Kyle, Chief of Staff, at (609) 343-2223.

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