A MESSAGE FROM Freeholder Gerald M. Thornton:

As the Freeholder of the Cape May County Health Department I would like to commend the employees for their hard work and the pride and dedication they have shown and continue to show in providing public health services to our county. The accomplishments achieved would not be so without utilizing the team approach that we have adopted.

Prevention is one of the cornerstones of public health. In this climate of fiscal restraints and increasing health care costs, we can no longer spare the "pound of cure" in lieu of the "ounce of prevention." But what is most apparent is that it makes the most sense from every standpoint to keep people healthy rather than treat their preventable disease and suffering. This is what Public Health is all about.

The Cape May County Health Department continues to proactively look for ways of improving the health status of all our residents. We are constantly looking for and developing new collaborative relationships and efforts to meet the needs of Cape May County residents in the most efficient and effective manner. These consist of both environmental issues and life style choices that affect the quality of life here in Cape May County. Only by working together can we identify gaps in the healthcare system, and together focus our resources to achieve healthier, and happier Cape May County residents. We are fortunate to have established a strong relationship with many government agencies, medical providers, and health care organizations who support our mission and commitment to the community.

The Cape May County Health Department has been faced with many challenges in the past. I look forward to facing the future challenges to provide for a "Healthier Cape May County."



Gerald M. Thornton
Freeholder