PUBLIC HEALTH LAB CELEBRATES NATIONAL MEDICAL LABORATORY PROFESSIONALS WEEK WITH OPEN HOUSE.VISITORS TO LEARN HOW STATE LAB AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL AND PREPAREDNESS SERVICES PROTECT DELAWAREANS

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) Public Health Laboratory and Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness sections will host an open house from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, on the campus of the Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill (DHCI), at 100 Sunnyside Road in Smyrna. The event will promote the role of the state lab and emergency preparedness and response in protecting Delawareans, and as well as interest in science careers. The DHCI campus is the site for both the laboratory and emergency preparedness operations.

Secretary Rita M. Landgraf of the Department of Health and Social Services and Dr. Karyl Rattay, DPH director, state Senators Bethany Hall-Long and Bruce C. Ennis; and Dr. William Ward, DPH Laboratory director, will address participants at 11 a.m.

Delaware Public Health Laboratory (DPHL) professionals test for bacteria and harmful chemicals in Delaware's drinking water supplies, monitor the emergence of resistant microorganisms, and test newborns for certain genetic and metabolic diseases to prevent developmental disabilities, serious illness, and even death.

A new addition to this year's event is the participation of the Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness Section. The section's Office of Emergency Medical Services manages the administrative functions of pediatric injury programs, the statewide trauma system, the AED program and assessment of statewide emergency transport needs. The Office of Preparedness coordinates public health and medical preparedness efforts statewide to ensure a rapid, integrated and effective response and recovery to any health emergency or disaster.

At the open house, the public will:

• Tour the Public Health Laboratory and Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness Section from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from noon to 1 p.m.
• Learn how Delaware plans for and responds to health emergencies.
• Tour the Delaware State Health Operations Center and emergency response vehicles and other specialized equipment such as the Odessa Fire Co. hazardous material van, DPH Environmental Emergency response van, and the Civil Support Team emergency support van.
• Meet laboratory professionals and hear how scientists protect public health.
• Interact with public health partners, including 911 Kent Communications, the Delaware National Guard and the Delaware SPCA.
• Visit numerous public health informational displays to include family health, epidemiology, tuberculosis elimination, tobacco prevention and control, food protection, drinking water, lead poisoning, and an interactive laboratory table for kids.

• The event is also a good opportunity for school-age children to learn more about science careers. According to National Science Board 2012 Science and Engineering Indicators, research institutions, like the Delaware Public Health Laboratory (DPHL), are the leading producers of science and engineering degrees at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. The U.S. science and engineering workforce, made up of chemists, mathematicians, economists, engineers, and other such workers, has grown faster than the workforce overall. Over the past quarter century, it has more than doubled in size and now represents about 4.3% of all U.S. jobs. All the activities scheduled for this event are free of charge and open to the public. For more information call: 302-223-1520 or 302-223-1720.

  
  
  

  Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.