ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Monday marks the start of National Public Health Week, a time to recognize people working to keep our communities safe and healthy.
The City of Allentown will recognize a few of its staff from the Allentown Health Bureau to celebrate the occasion.
- April 3-9 is National Public Health Week
- The Allentown Health Bureau is recognizing 6 of their own
- The week raises awareness about people working to keep communities safe and healthy
One of those people is Sheri Hilt, the communicable disease workflow coordinator for the bureau at Alliance Hall in Allentown.
"I love what I do. I love helping the public."Sheri Hilt, communicable disease workflow coordinator, Allentown Health Bureau
"I love what I do," Hilt said. "I love helping the public.”
She is celebrating her 25 year work anniversary.
She said many people don’t know the full scope of work being done in the sector.
"I think a lot of times people think about public health and they don't necessarily think that we help everyone," she said.
"I think sometimes people think public health is here to maybe help the uninsured or underinsured individuals where I think COVID has shown us that everyone kind of needs and benefits from public health."
“I think there's a specific breed of person that works in community public health."Dave Synnamon, director, Allentown Health Bureau
Allentown Health Director Dave Synnamon said, "It's not just vaccines, it's not just health promotion. It's a whole different myriad of issues and topics.
“A huge part of public health right now is emergency preparedness. So even before the pandemic, a huge component of what we do here is preparing for emergencies, making sure we're working with our community partners to have plans in place."
Recognizing dedication
Synnamon this week will recognize six people at the bureau who are dedicated to the cause.
“I think there's a specific breed of person that works in community public health, and we are very lucky here to have a lot of those types of people in our building,” he said.
Another of those people is community health specialist Harold Cruz.
“It feels good," Cruz said. "It feels good, because, I mean, we see each other not only as my coworker, 20 years, we are family.
"We've been through thick and thin, so we don't see each other as ‘Oh, he's my coworker.’ No, that's my family. That’s my sister. That's my brother. That's how we see it. We're family."
"This is my passion. I love what I do. Working with people, helping people."Harold Cruz, community health specialist, Allentown Health Bureau
Cruz will celebrate 20 years with the bureau this year.
“I just love this," he said. "I mean, this is my passion. I love what I do. Working with people helping people.”
Synnamon is proud of his staff, especially those such as Hilt and Cruz, with decades of experience. He said those staff members being honored will get a service pin and celebratory breakfast.
In addition, Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk also paid a visit to the health bureau to recognize those celebrating years of service.
