Office of Health Services Brenda Madera, R.N. School Nurse Coordinator
Staff Development Center  500 North Street White Plains, NY 10605 Phone: (914) 422-2011 Fax:  (914) 422-2160 E-mail:  brendamadera@wpcsd.k12.ny.us

We are all aware of the recent attention to our existing healthcare system by the federal government. Our state government has also been busy examining ways to make our schools healthier places to be. Toward this end, the school district has put together a Health Advisory Committee that meets routinely during the year and has written policies and regulations on wellness in compliance with state requirements.  One of our initiatives is to provide information on health and wellness to our staff. 

Evidence has proven that prevention of illness is one of the most important aspects of high level wellness. Researchers in the area of healthcare have shown that our health behaviors influence up to 50% of our health status - smoking, poor dietary habits, lack of exercise and alcohol abuse, to name a few.  Therefore, the emphasis in healthcare has begun to shift toward prevention, rather than focusing solely on disease management. 

Prevention will be the primary focus of this page.  You will routinely be provided with information that will be helpful in assisting you to live a healthier lifestyle.  I will also include information on issues of interest from health journals and medical papers. Sometimes a little reminder of what we already know is what we need to get ourselves moving.  Even small changes can make a difference!