2 Honored For Essex County Italian American Heritage Month – Patch.com

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County officials recently gave a hearty round of applause to a pair of “proud Italian Americans” who are making a difference in their communities: Judith Persichilli and Frank Del Gaudio.

Persichilli, the commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health, and Del Gaudio, the director of the Essex County Department of Health and Rehabilitation and Essex County Hospital Center, were each recognized as “Stellas della Contea di Essex” (Stars of Essex County) during the county’s annual Italian American Heritage Month celebration.

The event was held last week at the Essex County Martin Luther King Jr. Justice Building in Newark (watch the video below).

“Our celebration is an opportunity to recognize the contributions that Italian-Americans have made to the history and culture of Essex County,” said Joseph DiVincenzo Jr., the county executive.

“Judy Persichilli and Frank Del Gaudio each have made an impact on their communities and have continuously improved the quality of life for our residents,” DiVincenzo said.

The Essex County Italian Heritage Celebration is part of a yearlong series of programs that aim to raise awareness about and celebrate the diversity of Essex County.

“This is quite an honor,” Persichilli said, adding that she was “truly humbled.”

“Essex County really has been in my life quite a lot,” Persichilli said, recounting that she attended school, worked in several hospitals (including the Essex County Hospital Center) and managed several hospitals in Essex.

Persichilli also gave a nod to the county’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

“Essex County has given out almost 500,000 vaccines,” Persichilli said. “That’s 500,000 lives that have been saved during this pandemic.”

For Del Gaudio, the ceremony was a switch from his usual position behind the scenes as an administrator.

“This program is a lot different when you’re one of the people being recognized,” Del Gaudio said.

Although he grew up in an Italian household, Del Gaudio said his friends growing up were diverse.

“I didn’t get the full Italian experience until I started working for Essex County,” Del Gaudio said. “We share stories, enjoy friendships and have a good time together. That’s what enjoying your heritage is all about.”

Sharing congratulations for the honorees were State Senator and Deputy Chief of Staff Teresa Ruiz, State Assemblywoman Eliana Pintor Marin, Chief of Staff Phil Alagia, County Administrator Robert Jackson, Deputy Chief of Staff William Payne, Prosecutor Ted Stephens, Sheriff Armando Fontoura, Commissioner President Wayne Richardson, Commissioners Patricia Sebold, Tyshammie Cooper and Len Luciano, Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia and Roseland Mayor James Spango.

Father Edwin D. Leahy, St. Benedict’s Preparatory School Headmaster gave the invocation. Jenna Esposito-Cannizzaro and Ted Chletsos performed during the musical interlude.

Here’s why each of the 2021 honorees deserved the award, according to county officials.

JUDY PERSICHILLI

“Judith M. Persichilli, R.N., B.S.N., M.A., began serving as Acting Commissioner of Health on August 5, 2019. Prior to leading the department, Ms. Persichilli served as the Acting Chief Executive Officer of University Hospital in Newark. She is also president emerita of CHE Trinity Health, the health ministry formed in May 2013 by the consolidation of Catholic Health East and Trinity Health of Livonia, Mich. She previously served as the interim president and CEO of CHE Trinity Health. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Persichilli was President and CEO of Catholic Health East. Ms. Persichilli joined CHE in 2003 as the Executive Vice President of the Mid-Atlantic Division. She was promoted to Executive Vice President of acute care for the system in 2008 and then to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in December 2009 before assuming the role of CEO. Prior to joining CHE’s System Office, she served for eight years as CEO at St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton.

“Ms. Persichilli received her nursing diploma from the St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing summa cum laude from Rutgers University, and a Master of Arts in Administration summa cum laude from Rider University.”

FRANK DEL GUADIO

“Frank J. Del Gaudio, SASHE, has been a member of the County’s senior management team since May 2004, when he served as the County’s Risk Manager. In July 2013, Mr. Del Gaudio became the Director and Chief Financial Officer of the Essex County Hospital Center. He also oversees the operations of the Essex County Division of Community Health Services which includes the Essex County Department of Health, Domestic Violence Assessment Center, support of the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, The Municipal Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Office of the Disabled, Intoxicated Driver Resource Center, Employee Assistance Program (EAP)and Special Child Health Services including the Early Intervention Program.

“Mr. Del Gaudio provides ongoing support for the Crisis Intervention Team Training in a partnership with the Essex County Hospital Center and the State of NJ, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. In 2014, in cooperation with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Essex County Correctional Facility, the Essex County Hospital Center implemented and coordinated the Essex County Mental Health Jail Diversion Program and, in 2018, it was expanded to include a Veteran’s Mental Health Jail Diversion program. In 2020, Mr. Del Gaudio coordinated the Essex County Hospital Fee Pilot Program. The initial year of the program, fiscal year 2022, will result in $207,195,944 in additional Medicaid payments to nine Essex County hospitals.

“Mr. Del Gaudio, a resident of Montclair for the past 25 years, is a 1989 graduate of Rutgers University, New Brunswick. In July 2007, he received the American Society for Healthcare Engineering’s Senior (SASHE) designation. Mr. Del Gaudio previously served on Essex County’s Kip’s Castle Advisory Board, served as the Shared Services Coordinator for the County of Essex and was a member of the new Essex County Hospital Center Construction Team. He served as the County’s Municipal Liaison to the Village of South Orange for 12 years and now serves as the liaison to Montclair Township.”

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