April 3, 2023 – The Monmouth County Regional Health Commission No. 1 (MCRHC) has appointed Michael Balka, MPH of Edison, NJ as its new Health Officer. As Health Officer, Michael will be responsible for the strategic vision and direction of the health commission along with the public health duties and activities in the 12 Monmouth County municipalities serviced by MCRHC, and the Consortium with Colts Neck and Long Branch.

Michael is a highly qualified individual with a broad range of experience in various public health capacities. He has his master’s degree in Public Health, along with being a New Jersey Licensed Health Officer, and certifications as Registered Environmental Health Specialist, Lead Inspector and Risk Assessor, FEMA Emergency Management, and he is a Certified Municipal Registrar.

Michael comes to us from the Kenilworth Board of Health where he was initially hired as a REHS performing inspections, communicable disease investigation, resolving nuisance complaints, and planning health related public events which called for community partnering and program management.

Michael’s interpersonal skills, technical abilities, and a wealth of knowledge from his experience and education will aid him in this leadership role of shaping community health for the towns of Monmouth County Regional Health Commission No. 1

The Monmouth County Regional Health Commission, now in its 87th year of service, is the oldest health commission in New Jersey. MCRHC provides required public health services such as restaurant, recreational bathing, camp, septic and well inspections, communicable disease reporting and investigations, flu and rabies vaccinations, as well as a variety of other services. We are proud of our record of service and pledge to continue in the pursuit of the two related goals of quality and value.