Fern Goodhart
Public Health Educator

As a public health educator since 1977, I have worked in state government and for public universities to promote health and prevent disease. I attended Queens College as an undergraduate and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst for my master's degree. For the past 18 years, I have directed the health education department in the Rutgers University Health Services, and have managed over $5.7 million in grant projects, primarily in HIV prevention and sexual health. I have taught AIDS, human sexuality, advocacy and health promotion courses for the UMDNJ School of Public Health, Rutgers University and the University of Massachusetts.

Few people know that I worked as the state water fluoridation educator, that I was the first director of the NJ Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, or that I am licensed to teach health and physical education K-12 in NJ, NY and MA. I've also served three different governors, on their councils on physical fitness, trails council, and advisory board on bicycle safety. I love public health since it is a field that allows creativity, matching resources to needs, respects all people for their own experience and assets, and makes a difference in the lives of people. What better than to spend my days doing something meaningful, satisfying and fun? I fell into public health (it's a long story) at a time when gym teachers weren't being hired. I am currently the Council President of the Borough of Highland Park, and find that our public health skills are very applicable to public service.

Fern Walter Goodhart, MS, CHES
Director, Health Education Department
Rutgers University Health Services