HFNJ Grant Expands Team-Based Care for Essex County Seniors at Zufall Health
Zufall Health has expanded care for vulnerable Essex County seniors, courtesy of a generous award from the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey (HFNJ). The $120,000 grant from HFNJ supports our expansion of team-based medical, dental, behavioral, and supportive services to people 65-plus in and around our West Orange office. Seniors have an increased risk of chronic and communicable diseases, are more susceptible to social isolation, and are more likely to have...
Legal Issues Are Health Issues: How One Zufall Health Case Manager is Paying Forward the Help His Family Received
When he was 10 years old, Zufall Health case manager Erik Moran, his sister, and their mother faced wrongful eviction from their rented house in Morris County. The family was given one month to vacate their home—a violation of their lease—and suffered constant harassment from their landlord. The landlord spoke only English, and Moran’s mother, an immigrant from Ecuador, only Spanish. Moran took on the distressing responsibility of translating their heated...
Contract with Morris County Expands Dental Care Access for Seniors at Zufall Health
A new contract between Zufall Health and the Morris County Department of Human Services is expanding access to dental care for local seniors. The County recently awarded our health center $169,000 to provide comprehensive, no-cost oral health services to Morris County residents ages 60 and above who do not have dental insurance. The free services began in May and will continue as long as funds are available. Jade Duncan, DDS, M.Ed., director...
Zufall Health Introduces New Chief Operating Officer, Annette Gonzalez, DHA, MPA
Annette Gonzalez, DHA, MPA, a health care executive with more than 30 years of experience, joined Zufall Health as chief operating officer (COO) on May 8. Gonzalez replaced former COO Frances L. Palm, MPA, who became president and chief executive officer in February. Gonzalez’s career includes significant experience serving vulnerable communities’ health needs. Most recently, she was director of ambulatory care for NYC Health + Hospitals Lincoln in the Bronx, where,...
“Esperanza Para Las Madres” Supports New Spanish-Speaking Moms
Zufall Health is providing mental health support to Spanish-speaking moms in Esperanza Para Las Madres (Hope for Mothers), a new, virtual support group. Facilitated by licensed professional counselor Nereida (Nettie) Mendez, LPC, NCC, of Zufall’s behavioral health department, Esperanza is a free, 10-week program for people who are pregnant or have a baby up to one year old. Participants engage with other new mothers and learn about the importance of emotional...
Meet Your Provider: Antonella Maietta, DMD
Zufall Health providers perform many roles beyond their primary job functions, and dentist Antonella Maietta, DMD, is one shining example. For the past 11 years, she has been a full-time dental provider while assuming additional responsibilities that alleviate patients’ barriers to oral health care. Maietta is first and foremost a general dentist who cares for children and adults. She provides care wherever she is needed – in any of our dental...
Art is Part of High-Quality Care at Zufall Health
For nearly a decade, Zufall Health has integrated visual art into health care delivery. As part of our commitment to patient-centered care, we offer programs like Arts in Health and Breast Health Navigation that promote emotional wellbeing through art. On February 15, Zufall leadership spoke about the role that art plays in healing during the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC)’s webinar, “Creativity & Healing: Connecting Through Art –...
A Conversation with President and CEO Frances Palm
Frances L. Palm, MPA, became Zufall Health’s president and chief executive officer (CEO) on February 1, 2023 after the retirement of longtime leader Eva Turbiner. Previously our chief operating officer (COO) for nine years, Palm comes to the role with extensive knowledge of, and demonstrated success in, our programs, strategy, and culture. In a brief conversation, she discusses her history with our health center and her vision for providing care...
Somerset County and Zufall Health Cut Ribbon on New Medical and Dental Facility in Bridgewater
On Monday, March 13, Zufall Health celebrated the addition of Bridgewater to its roster of service locations in New Jersey. Zufall Health – Bridgewater, a 2700-square-foot facility within the Richard Hall Community Health and Wellness Center, will provide integrated medical and dental services to the clients of Richard Hall and to the surrounding community. Like all other Zufall locations, Bridgewater will serve patients regardless of insurance, income, or immigration status,...
No Wrong Path to Public Health: Marina Pieretti’s Zufall AmeriCorps Story
When Marina Pieretti, MPH, completed her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Hispanic cultures with a minor in film at Barnard College, Columbia University in 2013, she had never considered working in public health. In fact, at that time, Pieretti was eager to begin a career in film. An aspiring dirctor, Pieretti’s first postgraduate job was as a production assistant with the TriBeCa Film Festival. She spent about a year in this...