Sharon Health Department Journal

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This September, we recognize National Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention Month -

important reminders that no one has to face challenges alone. Help is available, hope is possible, and recovery is always possible.

Addiction and mental health challenges can affect individuals and families from every background. Recovery is not always a straight path, and reaching out for support can be difficult. Whether someone is taking the first step toward recovery, supporting a loved one, or struggling with their mental health, no one should have to face these challenges alone.

Suicide prevention begins with connection. Sometimes, simply asking someone how they are doing, listening without judgement, and helping them find support can make a meaningful difference. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out.

The Sharon Health Department encourages residents to take advantage of Care Solace, a free and confidential resource that can help individuals and families find mental health and substance use treatment providers. Care Solace can assist with finding care based on individual needs, insurance, location, and availability.

You don't have to know where to start—we can help you find a place to start.

Call (888) 515-0595 or click on the button below.

Suicide Hotline: Call or Text 988

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.

Hello everyone. My name is Jhannie Anne Lea Louis, and I am an intern with the Sharon Health Department this fall. I am currently a fourth-year Public Health student at Regis College on the Pre-Physical Therapy track. I was raised in Haiti, but I moved to the United States at 14 years old to continue my education. At that age, I didn't realize how much my life would change. Leaving my family and everything behind to adapt to a new country and a new culture was hard, but it helped shape who I am today.

My interest in healthcare started with my mother, who is a doctor. Growing up, I admired her dedication and the way she made such a big impact on her patients’ lives and the community. For a long time, I wanted to take the same route. But as I got older and gained more experience. I realized that I needed to find my own purpose and determine how I wanted to contribute to the healthcare field. Over time, I developed a strong interest in public health with a particular focus on global health and epidemiology because of my experiences growing up in Haiti. I saw firsthand how people were impacted by serious outbreaks like cholera, malaria, and chikungunya; as a child, I even got chikungunya, which had really bad symptoms and side effects. Witnessing and living through these outbreaks made me want to understand the “why” behind these diseases and learn how we can better protect people on a larger scale.

I am very grateful for the opportunity to continue my internship with the Sharon Health Department this fall. This experience has allowed me to step outside of the classroom and see what public health looks like in a real community. Being able to work on projects, interact with the community, and learn from people who work in the field has given me a much better understanding of what it actually takes to support the health of a community. I am excited to continue learning and to make the most of my time with the Sharon Health Department!

Hello everyone! My name is Maria Fontanez, and I am a Public Health Intern with the Sharon Health Department. I am currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree in public health at Regis College, with a minor in social work. I expect to graduate in May 2027 and have also been accepted into Regis College’s Online Master of Public Health Fast Track Program, where I plan to continue my education in public health.

My interest in public health developed from my experience working in healthcare and seeing firsthand how many different factors can affect a person’s health and access to care. My background as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN) in an ICU gave me the opportunity to work closely with patients and healthcare professionals while learning about the importance of advocacy, teamwork, and communication. These experiences helped me realize that improving health is not only about treating illness, but also about preventing health problems and addressing the factors that affect people and communities.

I am originally from Medford, MA, but have been living in Bedford, MA for 9 years. My family is from Puerto Rico, so I take yearly trips to see and spend time with them. Outside of school and my internship, I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and dog, who is always keeping me busy. In my free time, I love shopping and trying new restaurants. I also enjoy getting involved in my community and learning about the people and issues that make each community unique.

One of the things I enjoy most about public health is that it connects so many aspects of everyday life. I like learning about the challenges people face and finding ways that communities can come together to support one another. I am looking forward to using my internship experience to learn more about the Sharon community, contribute wherever I can, and meet new people.

We’d love to hear from you! Please take a few minutes to complete the surveys below. Your feedback will help our interns and the Health Department better understand our community’s needs and interests and guide the development of future programs and resources. Every response helps us make sure our efforts reflect what matters most to the community.

• Monday, October 5 - Council on Aging 10 AM to 12 PM
• Tuesday, October 6 - Hixson Farms 10 AM to 12 PM
• Thursday, October 8 - Town Hall 3 PM to 7 PM
• Sunday, October 18 - Town Hall 10 AM to 1 PM
• Sunday, November 8 - Town Hall 10 AM to 1 PM

Walk-ins are welcome during blood pressure clinic hours; Tuesday and Friday 9:30 AM to 11 AM. Please call ahead to ensure a nurse is available for walk-ins during normal business hours.

Pop-In with the Public Health Nurse, second Wednesday of the month 10:30AM-12:00PM at the Sharon Council on Aging.

Fall is still tick season! As temperatures cool, ticks remain active and continue to pose a risk to people and pets. Before heading outdoors, take a moment to review these helpful resources and learn how to protect yourself, your family, and your pets from tick bites.

HESSCO Elder Services invites Sharon residents, older adults, caregivers, family members, and community professionals to our Annual Age Well Conference on Wednesday, October 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Lake Pearl in Wrentham.

Age Well is an enjoyable and interactive day created to help people connect with valuable information, services, and resources that support healthy aging and caregiving. Guests will enjoy educational presentations, health and wellness activities, community exhibitors, breakfast, lunch, and opportunities to connect with local organizations—all in a welcoming and social setting.

Organizations interested in becoming an exhibiting sponsor:

Click here to learn more and apply for a table.

Sharon residents and community members interested in attending:

Click here to register and join us for the day!

Age Well is not designed as a fundraiser, but as an enjoyable, informative, and interactive day for older adults and caregivers in our community. If you are unable to attend but would still like to show your support for HESSCO and Age Well, we would be incredibly grateful for an additional donation. Please visit DONATION LINK and select one of the following options:

• $250 — Be a HESSCO Advocate
• $100 — Be a HESSCO Partner
• $75 — Be a HESSCO Supporter
• $35 — Be a HESSCO Friend

For donations of $250 HESSCO Advocate or more, we will invite you to email us your company logo, or the name you would like displayed to be included in our video montage recognizing our additional supporters.

Thank you for your continued support of HESSCO and the older adults and caregivers we serve. We are so grateful and look forward to seeing many of you at Age Well 2026!

HESSCO Elder Services

545 South Street, Suite 300

Walpole, MA 02081

P: 781-784-4944

F: 781-784-4922

https://hessco.org/services/

https://www.facebook.com/HESSCO/

https://www.instagram.com/hesscoelderservices

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hessco-elder-services

This recipe makes a large omelet, yielding 4 servings.

Nutrition (Per Serving): Calories: ~485; Protein: ~19g; Carbohydrates: ~4g; Fat: ~44g.

Ingredients:

Homemade Vinaigrette:

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• 1/2 shallot, finely minced
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 tablespoons minced fresh chives ( save 1 tablespoon for the omelet)

Omelet

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter plus 2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
• 8 large eggs, beaten
• 4 egg yolks, beaten (save the egg whites for another day)
• 1/2 cup grated Gruyere
• 2 heads butter (Bibb) lettuce

Directions

1. Combine the Dijon mustard, shallot and red wine vinegar in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in the olive oil and 3 tablespoons of chives. Set aside.
2. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a 12-inch nonstick pan over medium heat. When the butter starts to bubble, add the beaten eggs and yolks and the cold cubed butter to the pan, and begin to stir with a rubber spatula. Continue to stir until the eggs are half set, then reduce the heat to low.
3. When the omelet is soft, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and top with the cheese on one side. Let the omelet sit over low heat, without touching it, for 1 minute, to let the heat of the pan set the eggs.
4. Roll the omelet over the cheese so it forms a jelly roll shape, then roll the whole omelet onto a large platter.
5. Lightly spread the remaining tablespoon of butter over the omelet to coat. Garnish the omelet with the remaining tablespoon of chives.
6. Toss the lettuce with the vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Slice the omelet and serve alongside the salad.

Report My Meal is an online system for reporting suspected foodborne illness to public health officials in Massachusetts. After completing the attached online form, the information goes to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) where it is reviewed and shared with local health departments within the state for follow-up.

If you have any ideas you would like The Health Department to include in future newsletters, please reach out to us at (781) 784-1500 ext. 1205 or email agreeley@sharonma.gov

It's important to regularly check the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recall list because defective or unsafe products, including drugs, food, and medical devices, can reach consumers.

When you're aware of active recalls, you can act quickly - stop using the product, follow the manufacturer's instructions, and contact your healthcare provider or retailer of needed. Failure to do so can mean exposure to serious health risks or harm even when the chance may seem small.

Staying informed is a simple but powerful step in protecting your health and the wellbeing of those around you.