5 Things You Should Know About Health Bureaus

Our local bureaus are changing for the better, and we work with them to protect our community

1. They keep a pulse on our community’s health. The Allentown and Bethlehem health bureaus inspect restaurants and child care centers, track disease outbreaks, and provide flu shots and tests for sexually transmitted diseases. They also provide education to community members about what to do in the event of a large-scale emergency such as a terrorist attack or natural disaster.

2. We work with them. If a patient tests positive for tuberculosis, whooping cough (pertussis) or hepatitis, we contact the appropriate health bureau immediately. They monitor and investigate incidents (reported by us and other hospitals, schools, etc.) The health bureaus teamed with us last year to give flu shots to more than 8,600 people. We also partnered with them to distribute a “Get Ready” emergency preparedness DVD, and we regularly conduct emergency drills and training with them.

3. They’re changing for the better. For years, the Lehigh Valley had two separate health bureaus—one for Allentown and one for Bethlehem. The concern: They could provide services only for people living within the cities’ borders and not for any of the outlying areas. Now Lehigh and Northampton counties are planning a Bi-County Health Bureau—the first of its kind in the state. This will benefit all residents of Lehigh and Northampton counties (including the cities). Also, because the Bi-County Health Bureau will support more people, it will receive more resources from the commonwealth.

4. We are represented. Our own Eric Gertner, M.D., is a member of the Bi-County Health Bureau board. The past medical director of Lehigh Valley Physicians Practice (LVPP)—a community practice at LVH–17th and Chew serving residents of center city Allentown—Gertner was recommended to the bureau by Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham. Gertner, now the associate chief of external programming for the division of general internal medicine, holds a master’s degree in public health. He wrote his master’s thesis on policies affecting adolescent obesity with help from the Allentown Health Bureau. “I’m excited to be a part of something that will help people—beyond the cities’ limits—live longer and healthier,” he says.

5. They’re preparing for action. Gertner is one of three appointees from Lehigh County on the Bi-County Health Bureau board. Two other appointees have been named from Northampton County, another is pending, and one “neutral” member will be identified. The new board will become active once all seven members are in place.

—Sally Gilotti

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