Focusing on Prevention

Here is a wonderful example of the collaborative nature of this ministry:  On Thursday, February 27, pediatrician Laura McCracken, M.D. gave a presentation to the Madre a Madre program about preventing tooth decay in children.  Dr. McCracken learned about the Passaic Neighborhood Center for Women by reading about us in The Beacon, the newspaper of the Diocese of Paterson.  Sister Ann Marie connected her with the Madre a Madre program, which is a work of the Community Health Department of St. Mary's Hospital, Passaic -- a sponsored work of the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth, Convent Station and a very good friend of the Center.  Based on the questions and interests of "the Madres," Dr. McCracken hopes to make monthly visits to assist the mothers to raise healthy children.  We are very grateful to Dr. McCracken for giving of her time and expertise to benefit the families of Passaic.

Dr. McCracken -- with the translation assistance of Luz Flores, Health Outreach Worker from St. Mary's Hospital, Passaic -- explains the prevention of tooth decay to 20 members of the Madre a Madre group that meets at St. Mary's Assumption Church each Thursday.

Sr. Anne Moroney, SC, Director of Community Health Education at St. Mary's Hospital, Luz Flores, Community Outreach Worker for St. Mary's Hospital and Dr. Laura McCracken pose for a photo with "the Madres" at St. Mary's Assumption Church, Passaic, on Thursday, February 27.