Rutherford Health Department
- This Is Rutherford
- 16 hours ago
- 9 min read
By Jennifer Ersalesi
Rutherford's Board of Health has existed for 125 years. It currently consists of seven members and two alternate members who are appointed by the Mayor and Council. They volunteer their time to assist the Rutherford Health Department. Their mission, as stated on the Borough website, is "To prevent the spread of communicable diseases, to safeguard the health and equity of all people, and to offer efficient public health services and education to Rutherford residents." This Is Rutherford interviewed the Borough Health Official, the Mid-Bergen Health Planner, and members of the Board of Health to learn more about their current initiatives and the ways in which they are supporting the health needs of the entire community.
TIR: When did you become the Health Official of the Rutherford Health Department?
Jennifer Galarza: I am currently the Health Official for the Borough of Rutherford. At this time, the Borough contracts Health Officer services through the Mid-Bergen Regional Health Commission. This partnership ensures that our community benefits from the specialized expertise and coverage required by state law. Since stepping into the role of Health Official in November 2021, I have had the pleasure of working closely with Bergen County Department of Health Services and the Mid-Bergen team to manage a variety of health and wellness initiatives for our residents.
Early on in my position, I realized how important it was to fully understand the wide range of
responsibilities that come with being a Health Officer. With a commitment to better serving the community, I decided to further my education by enrolling in the Master of Public Health program at William Paterson University in March 2022, graduating in May 2024. Inspired by what I learned and motivated by my day-to-day experiences, I also decided to pursue the health officer license. I sat for and passed the Health Officer Exam in June 2025, earning my license as a Health Officer.
I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Rutherford, and I hope that one day I will have the chance to take on the role of Health Officer for our Borough. My goal is to keep supporting the health and well-being of all our residents to the very best of my ability.
TIR: Dr. Wayne Narucki of Rutherford Pediatrics and Board of Health member mentioned a new initiatives that is of particular interest to him, the new child vaccine clinic. Can you tell us more about this?
JG: Absolutely, I’d love to share more about this. The idea for our new child vaccine clinic really grew out of needs we were hearing directly from the community. Our public health nurses and I received a lot of phone calls from parents asking where they could take their kids for routine immunizations, and we realized just how big that gap was. One of our main responsibilities as a local health department is to make sure families have access to childhood vaccinations, so we knew we had to find a solution.
Before we opened our clinic, the closest child health clinic that would accept Rutherford residents was about 25 minutes away by car, not counting rush hour. The other option for families was to try to get an appointment at a federally qualified health center, but the wait time was about two months. We really felt that our residents deserved better.
Bringing this clinic to life truly required a team effort. We obtained much of the equipment we needed through grants from the Bergen County Health Department. With grant support, Mid-Bergen was also able to secure funding for a pediatrician for 2025. In addition, we visited another health department that had closed its clinic, and they generously allowed us to take any equipment we could use. Another key component was the New Jersey Department of Health’s Vaccines for Children program, which ensures that vaccines are provided free of charge to families who qualify. These vaccines are available to
children who are Medicaid eligible, uninsured, underinsured, or American Indian or Alaskan Native.
This truly was a group effort, and I’m grateful for everyone who helped along the way.
Our Board of Health has been incredibly supportive from the very start and immediately recognized the need for this service in our community. Because we believe that it truly takes a village to protect our children, we decided to open the clinic not just to Rutherford residents, but also to families in neighboring towns. The collaboration and support from so many different partners made this possible, and it’s been wonderful to see how everyone has come together for the greater good. In just the past seven months, we’ve already provided 174 immunizations, which just goes to show what we can accomplish when our community works together.
TIR: The Rutherford Health Department plays a vital role in our Borough. What are some of the ways you have made the health department more visible in the community?
JG: One of the ways we’ve made the Health Department more visible is by being present at community events throughout Rutherford. We often set up tables at these gatherings to share educational materials and answer questions from residents directly. I don’t know if everyone realizes this, but while Rutherford is known as the Borough of Trees, we also like to think of it as the Borough of Events since there is always something happening here. We make it a point to participate in as many local events as possible because it’s important for people to see us out in the community, and it gives us a great opportunity to connect with residents face-to-face.
Additionally, the Board of Health is exploring the idea of starting our own social media accounts. We’re actively working on this, and we hope it will be another way for us to increase our visibility and keep the community informed about important health updates and programs. Our goal is to make the health department approachable and accessible, and we’re always looking for new ways to reach people where they are.
TIR: What would you like the community to know about what the Health Department offers to residents?
JG: I really want everyone in Rutherford to know that the Health Department is here for you. We’re always working to support the health and well-being of all our residents. There are so many services we offer, including child immunizations, flu clinics, TB screenings, breast and pap screenings, multiphasic blood screenings, vision and glaucoma checks, and even skin cancer screenings. We even help keep your pets healthy by providing free rabies vaccinations for dogs and cats at our rabies clinic. On top of that, residents can meet one-on-one with a registered public health nurse for a confidential health consultation. During these visits, the nurse will review your medical history, check your height, weight,
and blood pressure, and offer you personalized advice about things like heart health, nutrition, exercise, medications, stress, and diabetes. If needed, they’ll also help you find any other resources or referrals you might need.
Right now, we’re working with the Mid-Bergen Health Educator on a community health needs assessment. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to share your thoughts and help us make decisions about the future of health in Rutherford. Your feedback will help us figure out the main health concerns in our community, improve our programs, strengthen the resources available, and make plans for a healthier Rutherford. If you’d like to be part of this, you can fill out the survey by following this LINK.
We truly value your input and want everyone to feel involved as we work together to make Rutherford the healthiest it can be. If you ever have questions, ideas, or need anything from us, please reach out to the Health Department. You’re also always welcome to drop by and stop in for a quick chat. We’ll be happy to see you and help in any way we can.
Secretary of the Board of Health, Matt Ziemkiewicz, told TIR, "I’ve been on the Board of Health for over 25 years. I’m not sure how that happened. When I learned how much the health department impacts the Borough it was enlightening. Most folks in town do not realize how much the health department impacts the town. Jen has taken the Health Department to a new level helping residents and businesses. Her drive and dedication is remarkable and it’s all about making sure Borough residents are taken care of. Currently the Board is soliciting public input to identify public health direction in town. It’s so we can be sure we’re going in the right direction. Jennifer will get us there."
"A thriving community requires easy access to qualify health programs. The programs that the Rutherford Health Department has developed under Jennifer Galarza's leadership (such as the monthly Child Health Clinic) are amazing resources and support systems for our diverse community. I hope residents take advantage of all this department has to offer," Mayor Frank Nunziato told TIR.
TIR: Are there any upcoming events and/or initiatives that would you like to share?
JG: Yes, we have several upcoming events and initiatives that I’d love to share with the community. Our next scheduled screening is a Blood Screening on April 18th, 2026, from 7:00 am to 9:00 am at the Rutherford Health Department. This is a great opportunity for residents to check in on their health and learn more about their wellness.
In addition to the blood screening, we have more health events coming up soon, although the exact dates are still being finalized. These will include a Vision and Glaucoma Screening, Skin Cancer Screening, another Blood Screening, Breast and Pap Screening, and our annual Flu Vaccine Clinic. We will announce the dates as soon as they are set, so please keep an eye out for updates. You can also sign up for notifications at https://www.rutherfordboronj.com/notifications.
Beyond our health screenings and clinics, you can also find us out and about in the community. We will be setting up tables with educational materials at some of Rutherford’s favorite events, such as Treefest, the Farmers Market, Pridefest, National Night Out, the Multi-Cultural Festival, and Rutherford Day. Please feel free to stop by, say hello, and pick up some helpful information. We always enjoy connecting with residents. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at these events and supporting the health of our community!
TIR: How long have you been a Public Health Planner? Can you explain more about your role?
Sarah Bombino: I have extensive experience in health education and recently marked my third year as a Public Health Planner with the Mid Bergen Regional Health Commission. In my role, I oversee our health education operations, which include developing and facilitating community-based programs, building partnerships, and guiding strategic planning efforts. A big part of my work is connecting residents with meaningful resources and services; I often describe myself as a “community connector,” helping to bridge the gap between public health services and the people who can benefit from them most.
TIR: When did you begin working with the Rutherford Health Department?
SB: I began working with the Rutherford Health Department shortly after joining the Mid Bergen Regional Health Commission. Since then, I have collaborated closely with local officials and community partners to expand health education initiatives and bring accessible, relevant programming to residents.
TIR: You are leading an initiative to get feedback from the community through a Community Health Needs Assessment. Can you tell us more about this Assessment and why it is important?
SB: A Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) is a process used to better understand the health needs, priorities, and concerns of a community. It involves gathering input directly from residents, as well as analyzing local health data, to identify gaps in services and opportunities for improvement.
This process is incredibly important because it ensures that public health efforts are guided by the voices and lived experiences of the community. Rather than making assumptions, we are able to design programs and initiatives that are truly responsive, equitable, and impactful.
TIR: What are your goals for supporting the Rutherford Health Department and the residents of Rutherford?
SB: My goal is to continue strengthening the connection between the Rutherford Health Department and the community by offering accessible, engaging, and meaningful health education programs. I hope to expand outreach efforts, increase community participation, and ensure that residents feel informed, supported, and empowered to make healthy choices.
Additionally, I aim to use insights from the Community Health Needs Assessment to guide future programming and initiatives, ensuring that our work aligns with the evolving needs of Rutherford residents.
President of the Board of Health, Dr. Joseph DeFazio, explained, "I have been serving on the Board of Health as a member for over 25 years. I was first appointed by Mayor Andrew Bertone. I have served as President of the Board of Health for over 10 years. The Board oversees the workings of the Health Department that includes but is not limited to the hiring of staff, overseeing the budget and working in concert with our Health Official, Jennifer Galarza to devise and implement public health programs for the benefit of the Borough of Rutherford."
Dr. DeFazio continued, "Community input is extremely important to the efficient and effective functioning of a Health Department. It provides the board and Health official with valuable information as to what programs the residents are looking for. The Board and staff share one main goal. That is to provide effective public health programs and services that will benefit all the residents of the Borough of Rutherford."
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