In late December, Rebecca Wolf of Scranton was named public health director for Greene County Medical Center’s public health department. Wolf replaces Cindy Kail who recently retired as the public health director and chief nursing executive for the medical center.
Wolf has been with the public health department since 1989 and has served as supervisor for many health service programs. Currently Wolf is enrolled in the Health Care Management program at Bellevue University in Bellevue, NE.
As public health director, Wolf will oversee public health services which include immunizations, maternal health, blood pressure checks, community health needs assessments, equipment loan closet and much more. She will also be responsible for the home care services which include skilled nursing, rehabilitation and home care aid.
Wolf’s leadership comes at a time where both of these areas will see a myriad of changes in 2014. The first change will be the relocation of the entire department in preparation for the building and expansion project which is scheduled to break ground in late March or early April. At that time, the current office building space will be demolished to make room for the future patient care areas.
The public health offices are scheduled to be relocated to office trailers on the south side of the medical center campus. Clinical services such as immunizations, blood pressure clinics and maternal-child health office visits, will be provided through the outpatient department of the medical center in conjunction with public health staff.
The home care services department has been working the past six months under a temporary partnership agreement with UnityPoint at Home (a part of the UnityPoint Health system) and is now exploring a permanent partnership. Such a partnership will strengthen the many home care services already offered through the medical center, as well as enhance some of what can be offered in the future. Home care services will not be affected by the relocation of offices.
Wolf noted, “As we relocate to our temporary quarters in the coming weeks, I want to assure our clients that all of us in public health and home care will continue to provide great care. Our goal will remain to exceed the expectations of our clients.”
