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Health Promotion Staff

Health Promotion and Education programs aim to improve the environmental, social, and economic conditions that contribute to poor health, and support behavioral changes and community norms to improve community and individual health.

Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health (World Health Organization). For the Health Educator, it is "the science and art of helping people change their lifestyle to move toward a state of optimal health (American Journal of Health Promotion, 1989,3,3,5)

Health educators are an integral part of community health education programs. They provide information to individuals and communities in an effort to promote, maintain, and improve healthy lifestyles. Some of the issues that are of importance include substance abuse, injury prevention/safety, nutrition, high blood pressure, pregnancy, and diabetes. Health educators are also responsible for collecting and analyzing data for the purpose of researching, designing, and presenting preventive health care programs. These individuals must be able to inform and organize community coalitions in order to address concerns and issues that affect the health of communities. Health educators are often responsible for writing educational material, newsletters, public information reports, and grant proposals. They may specialize in various areas that include clinical health, public health, community health, industrial health, and school health. The main objective for a health educator is to prevent disease and promote healthy lifestyles through policy, system, environmental, knowledge, and behavior change.

The York City Bureau of Health staff work in partnership with individuals, communities and organizations to increase individual knowledge and skills, educate and mobilize communities, build coalitions, and advocate for changes in organizational and public policy.

Our Health Promotion Staff

Shaun Underkoffler joined the Health Bureau in 2007 as a Community Health Program Coordinator focused on the safe and healthy communities grant, and other community interventions. Shaun graduated from Lock Haven University with a Bachelors Degree in Health & Physical Education with an emphasis in Sports Management/Administration. He received his Master's Degree in Public Health from Walden University in December 2011. You can reach Shaun at 717-854-5090 or email sunderko@yorkcity.org.

Tamara Ramer joined the Health Bureau in 2008 as a Community Health Specialist focuses on the violence & injury prevention grant and other general health topics. Tamara graduated from Lock Haven University, earning her Bachelor's Degree in Health Sciences with a concentration in Community Health. Tamara is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Public Health from Indiana State University. To schedule programming or to request information, contact Tamara at 717-845-6532 or email her at TRamer@yorkcity.org.

 

Nancy Melendez joined the Health Bureau in 2008 as a Disease Prevention Outreach Worker. Nancy is advancing the Maternal Child Health and Dental Sealant programs through her outreach in the community, and in particular getting pregnant women to utilize our nurse home visiting services. Nancy is busy telling York City residents about all of the Health Bureau's services. You can reach Nancy at 717-849-2335 or by email at nmelende@yorkcity.org.

 

                                                    

Katie Morton joined the Health Bureau in 2012 as a Community Health Specialist focused on the violence & injury prevention and safe and healthy communities grants, and other health-related areas. Katie graduated from East Stroudsburg University, earning her Bachelor's Degree in Health & Physical Education. She also received her Master's Degree in Public Health from Walden University in December 2011. To schedule programming or to request information, contact Katie at 717-846-6730 or email her at kmorton@yorkcity.org.

 

 

 

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