In this Episode, Michael Hodges talks about COVID19 in NY and NJ and shares his experience as a public health professional who works on COVID19 funding for NJ.Michael Hodges MHS, HO, REHS, CHES, , is the former Health Officer/Director for the West Milford Health Department and former Director of Health and Human Services for the City of East Orange, NJ. As Accreditation Coordinator, he also led the process to establish Bloomfield as New Jersey’s first nationally accredited health department, from the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), a joint initiative of the CDC and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to advance quality and performance of all US public health departments. An integral part of this process was the development of a comprehensive Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), which Michael managed. He’s the recipient of the Montclair State University George G. King Memorial Award for improving the health of the community through leadership and collaboration. He has served as a mentor/internship supervisor for several physicians (including 2 Fulbright Scholars) pursuing their MPH degrees. Michael has also served on the Board of Directors and Board of Commissioners of the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC) and is one of the past planners for the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Annual Public Health Conference.
Most recently, Michael has been performing HACCP-based food safety and sanitation inspections, infection control consulting, outbreak investigations, and Occupational Health & Safety (OSHA) Audits, and health education for Fortune 500 Companies, Top-Tier Law Firms, Private Schools, and Hospitals in the NYC Metro area.
He’s currently developing Infection Control and Prevention protocols and providing Health Education services (including Social Determinants of Health and Trauma Informed Care) for the City of New York COVID-19 Hotel Program, working closely with the CDC, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), and NYC Health + Hospitals.
Michael is also an adjunct professor for Southern New Hampshire University where he teaches various public health courses.