Great River, NY - Suffolk County Department of Health Services Commissioner James L. Tomarken, MD, MPH, MBA, MSW, announced today that an additional series on diabetes self-management will be presented for county residents in the Patchogue area.  As previously announced classes have been scheduled for October and November in Amityville, Wyandanch, Shirley and Riverhead.  For information about classes, please call Laurie Wells at (631) 727-7850.  These classes are a joint effort by the Department of Health Services and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County to empower residents with diabetes by teaching effective self-management skills that lead to a healthy lifestyle.  

Great River, NY – Noting that falls and falls-related injuries are among the most common and serious medical problems experienced by senior citizens, County Executive Steve Bellone announced today that the county has armed over 2,000 senior residents with information on fall prevention through its ‘Stepping On’ and  Staying Independent for Life programs. Both programs are designed to enhance balance and mobility among seniors.

The mission of the Division of Community Mental Hygiene Services is to enable persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities and substance abuse and their families to access an appropriate array of services and supports to maximize an individual’s potential within the family and community.

The mission of the Division of Community Mental Hygiene Services is to enable persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities and substance abuse and their families to access an appropriate array of services and supports to maximize an individual’s potential within the family and community.

County law directs the Department of Health Services to hold two public health hearings each year.  A hearing was held this spring in Hauppauge.  The purpose of these hearings is to obtain input from county residents as to the quality of the health care delivery system and how it services their needs.  Residents who are unable to attend the hearing and wish to submit testimony are encouraged to send written testimony to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services, Attention:  Grace Kelly-McGovern, 3500 Sunrise Highway, Suite 124, P.O. Box 9006, Great River, NY 11739-9006. Written testimony will be accepted until November 15, 2012.