The Delaware County Health Department Holds Open House at its Newly Renovated Facility

Released: April 29, 2022

The Delaware County Health Department hosted an open house for healthcare and community partners and local officials on April 22 at the newly renovated Delaware County Wellness Center in Yeadon. This site now serves as the main location for the Delaware County Health Department.

“We are excited to assume the duties and responsibilities of a health department as we do the important work of public health,” said Delaware County Health Department Director Melissa Lyon. “What this means for the 576,000 residents across Delaware County is a hyper-focus on localized data collection to guide our work towards health equity, immediate response to health emergencies, supporting the health of moms and babies, maintaining healthy environments and greens spaces, restaurant inspections that provide safe food delivery, and addressing the issue of vaccine-preventable diseases, which COVID-19 continues to remind us, is absolutely necessary. “

During the Open House, Director Lyon introduced the DCHD Leadership Team, which detailed the services provided by each division of the Delaware County Health Department including the Population Health, Personal Health, and Environmental Health Divisions.

Lora Werner is the newly appointed Deputy Director and acting Division Administrator for Population Health. Population Health manages public health emergency preparedness, as well as the services of the rebranded Delaware County Health Department Wellness Line which receives calls and emails from across the county addressing a variety of issues and connects callers to available resources.

Under the leadership of Stephanie Reese, Division Administrator for Personal Health, the Delaware County Health Department launched its first STI clinic in the Chester community. The Personal Health Division also launched the Vaccines for Children program, which provides immunizations for low-income residents without health insurance.

Marie Carbonara, Division Administrator for Environmental Health leads a team of investigators currently in the field monitoring and enforcing Delaware County health codes, in addition to state and federal regulations. The Environmental Health Division is currently responding to applications and addressing and investigating public health complaints and inquiries.

“It is my honor to lead this team of dedicated local health experts,” said Director Lyon, “including those in Administration, and Epidemiology – whose commitment to the collection of localized data and disease investigation, and surveillance, among other critical responsibilities, are principal to achieving the goal of health and thriving communities.”

At the conclusion of the presentation, county, and local officials, and members of the press were invited for a ‘First Look’ tour of the renovated Delaware County Wellness Center. Brightly lit, wide-open spaces welcomed guests leading to specialized pediatric, tuberculosis, and bariatric exam rooms. There are expanded nurses’ stations and an on-site medication storage area. Also included on the tour was a large refrigeration area for proper storage of vaccinations and a multi-media room for staff trainings and events.

Residents are encouraged to learn more about the Delaware County Health Department by visiting: www.DelcoPa.gov/health

The Delaware County Wellness Line Team is able to assist residents with public health-related topics, including:

• Answer general questions about public health-related matters
• Help residents locate public health resources
• Assist residents in locating convenient COVID-19 vaccination sites
• Add homebound residents to the homebound roster for at-home on-site vaccinations
• Answer general questions about COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots

PHONE: (484) 276-2100
EMAIL: DelcoWellness@co.delaware.pa.us

The Delaware County Health Department was approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to act in its capacity as a health department on April 2, 2022. This marks the first health department established in the state of Pennsylvania in 33 years.