Healthy Bergen Announces New Coordinator and Task Force Co-Chairs

Hackensack, N.J. (June 11, 2025) – Healthy Bergen, powered by the Community Health Improvement Partnership (CHIP), proudly introduces Lisa Pinto, MPH, CHES, of the Bergen County Department of Health Services, as the new Healthy Bergen Coordinator.

The organization also shared exciting news of leadership changes within its Healthy Minds and Healthy Bodies task forces, focused on promoting health equity based on the highest priorities identified in the Community Health Needs Assessment. To take the assessment, visit www.prcsurvey.com/begin/Bergen2025CHNA by July 31st.

Pinto brings over a decade of experience in health and wellness and five years as a public health professional. She has served as a Health Educator for the Bergen County Department of Health Services since 2020 and is a Certified Health Education Specialist with the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing.

Pinto’s career goal is to create healthier and more equitable communities using her expertise in program development, health education, and community outreach. She is focused on improving community health by fostering collaborative partnerships to address the unique challenges and barriers that exist within the communities of Bergen County.

“I’m honored to serve as the Healthy Bergen Coordinator and help lead our work in improving the health and well-being of Bergen County residents,” said Pinto. “I’m especially excited to continue building strong community partnerships and promoting healthy minds and healthy bodies initiatives throughout the community to achieve our goal of a healthier Bergen County.”

In addition to Pinto’s appointment, Healthy Bergen has re-focused its Healthy Minds and Healthy Bodies Task Forces, (formerly known as the Mental Health and Substance Use Task Force and the Nutrition and Physical Activity Task Force), to improve communication, foster collaboration, and ensure outreach and inclusion throughout the entire community. Guided by data from the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), both task forces develop and implement proactive strategies to advance their shared vision: a healthier Bergen County.

The Healthy Minds Task Force, co-led by Gianna Carrino, MA, LPC, LCADC, NCC of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center and Danielle Lambert, LCSW of Englewood Health, is focused on ensuring accessible mental and behavioral health support for all community members. Guided by findings from the latest Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), the task force is addressing key issues such as depression, chronic stress, difficulty accessing care, substance use, and rising mental health concerns. Their mission is to close gaps in care and respond directly to the community’s most pressing behavioral health needs.

The Healthy Bodies Task Force, co-led by Reg Grant, MS, CAT(C), RSCC*E and Debbie Bessen, MS, RD, CSO, CLT of Holy Name Medical Center, along with Christopher Gonzalez of the Meadowlands YMCA, is focused on ensuring all community members have access to the resources they need to prevent, screen, and manage physical health conditions. Guided by data from the latest Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), the task force is addressing priority areas including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, smoking in the home, injury prevention, nutrition, physical activity, weight management, oral health, respiratory disease, and other potentially disabling conditions. Their mission is to promote health equity and improve overall well-being across the lifespan.

“Through coordinated efforts, the Healthy Minds and Healthy Bodies task forces help us bridge gaps in services, leverage the combined expertise of our member institutions, and connect people with the care they need to live mentally and physically healthier lives,” Pinto continued. “Healthy Bergen continues to build bridges between individuals, organizations, and services through strong collaboration, shared resources, and a commitment to inclusion, accelerating progress and making a lasting impact on the health of Bergen County."

To learn more about Healthy Bergen, please visit https://www.healthybergen.org/. For more information about partnership and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Lisa Pinto at 201-634-2608 or LPinto@BergenCountyNJ.gov.

About Healthy Bergen Powered By CHIP

Founded in 1996 with four member hospitals, Healthy Bergen (formerly the Community Health Improvement Partnership of Bergen County) unites the county’s hospitals, public health officials, social service providers, and community stakeholders to create a healthier Bergen County. With staff and volunteers reflecting the community’s diversity, Healthy Bergen connects individuals to the care and services they need.

Healthy Bergen brings the combined healthcare resources and expertise of their member

institutions/organizations to bear in educating, engaging and helping Bergen County residents live happy, healthy lives. Through a coordinated effort, Healthy Bergen builds bridges between individuals, organizations and services to support the health and well-being of everyone in Bergen County, with a particular focus on the areas of greatest need.

Every three years, Healthy Bergen coordinates a comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) to identify the most pressing healthcare needs across the county. They share the results with the community and collaborate with their partners to address these needs, improving the health and well-being of all Bergen County residents.

To learn more about Healthy Bergen, please visit https://www.healthybergen.org/