CEO/Director of Public Health - Michael A. Pascucilla, Ph.D., M.P.H., REHS, DAAS
Michael Pascucilla was appointed as the CEO/Director of Public Health for the East Shore District Health Department in 2010. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health/Nutrition from Southern Connecticut State University, a Master’s degree in public health from the University of Connecticut, and a Ph.D. from Queen Margaret University. He is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center of Homeland Defense & Security, Executive Leaders Program, and is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist with over 30 years of experience as a public health official. Michael is a published researcher with a focused interest in climate change, water quality, and food allergens.
Michael is the past president of the Connecticut Environmental Health Association and the Connecticut Association of Directors of Health. In addition, Michael has a passion for higher education and is an Adjunct Professor at Southern Connecticut State University and a Lecturer at Yale University in the School of Public Health located in New Haven, Connecticut.

Email Michael: MPascucilla@esdhd.org 

Deputy Director - Amy Scholz, M.P.H., R.S
Amy has 13 years experience in the field of public health. She has BS in Nutrition/Dietetics from University of New Haven and a Masters Degree in Public Health from Southern CT State University. She is a Registered Sanitarian with various environmental health certifications. Amy enjoys spending time with family, running road races and playing tennis.
Email Amy at: ascholz@esdhd.org

Office Manager/Bookkeeper - Marsha Davis
Marsha started working for the East Shore District Health Department in 2010. She has over 40 years of experience in Accounting, Administrative and Customer Service. Marsha attended South Central Community College. Marsha loves to spend time with family and friends, traveling, and playing cards. She is also an animal lover.
Email Marsha: MDavis@esdhd.org  

Administrative Assistant - Liz Early
Liz started working for the East Shore District Health Department in July 2018. She has over 18 years of experience running medical offices and is excited about her new role at the health department. She is Treasurer of the NAMI Shoreline Board of Directors and is a member of the Board of Advisors of the Nepal Orphans Home. Her passions include mental health advocacy, orphans in Nepal, helping those in need, and traveling.
Email Liz: learly@esdhd.org  

Administrative Support Staff Member - Adrienne Patrella
Email Adrienne: apatrella@esdhd.org  

Environmental Health Staff

Sanitarian - Brittany Nappi Brittany has a Master’s degree in public health from the University of New Haven and a Bachelor of Science in Culinary nutrition from Johnson and Wales. She is a registered sanitarian through NEHA and the State of CT, and holds various environmental health certifications. Brittany loves being with her family, friends, and especially her puppy. Email Brittany at: bnappi@esdhd.org

Sanitarian - Christian Silvernale Christian graduated with a B.S. in Public Health from Southern Connecticut State University in May of 2021. He has been at ESDHD since January 2021, first as an intern, then as Vaccine Equity Coordinator from May through December 2021, and now as a Sanitarian as of January 2022. Christian's favorite sports team is the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is also a Certified Personal Trainer and online coach. Email Christian at: csilvernale@esdhd.org

Sanitarian -Ketia Similien
Ketia Similien graduated from Southern Connecticut State University and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Health and a Masters Degree in Public Health. She started working at ESDHD in 2023. Before working in the field of environmental health, she worked at a non-profit organization specializing in health education in various areas. Ketia is a busy mother of 2 boys who enjoys music, art, working out, spending time with her family and traveling.
Email Ketia at: ksimilien@esdhd.org


Public Health Nursing

Public Health Nurse - Theresa Heier RN
Theresa has been with the East Shore District Health Department since 2022 as their Public Health Nurse Supervisor. She has been a nurse for 25 years, 11 as an LPN and the past 14 as an RN. In addition to her nursing degree’s, Theresa has a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies Biology/Chemistry. Theresa’s previous nursing jobs have included Director of Nursing, infection control, OR nurse, reproductive endocrinology, home care, and various positions within nursing homes. Her nursing passion lies in harm reduction and reaching out to people in need. She enjoys educating individuals about health issues and helping them lead their best, healthiest lives. Her proudest nursing accomplishment has been being able to oversee the nursing operations at her previous position throughout the Covid pandemic. It was a very difficult time for not only her resident’s but their family’s as well, but knowing she had a skillset to help was very gratifying. Outside of work, Theresa has a variety of interests. She loves live music, travelling, spending time at the beach reading a good book, and hiking with her family and 2 dogs. Email Theresa: Theier@esdhd.org 

Public Health Nurse - Stephanie Schillat, RN
Stephanie joined the ESDHD in October 2023 as a part time Public Health Nurse. She graduated from Molloy College with a B.S. in Nursing and has been an RN for 30 years.
Stephanie enjoys working in the community promoting health and wellness among its residents.
Email Stephanie sschillat@esdhd.org

Public Health Education / Public Health Preparedness

Community Health Coordinator, Public Health Educator, Accreditation Coordinator - Barbara Naclerio M.P.H, CHES.
Barbara has been with the East Shore District Health Department since 2006. She started as the volunteer coordinator for the Senior Medical Rides Program and was hired as the Health Educator in the spring of 2008. Previously, she spent 17 years in the field of biomedical research. Barbara's undergraduate degree is from Quinnipiac College. She also has her Masters of Public Health from Southern Connecticut State University. Barbara is also a busy mother of three girls who enjoys swimming, reading and gardening.
Email Barbara: Bnaclerio@esdhd.org  

Emergency Preparedness Coordinator/ Health Educator - Elisabeth Matuska, MPH, CHES
Elisabeth started working at ESDHD in August 2021. In addition to working as the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator/Health Educator, Elisabeth also serves as the Shoreline Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Unit Coordinator. She has worked in local health since June of 2020, supporting emergency preparedness and contact tracing efforts in her previous positions. Before entering local health, she worked in non-profit administration and fundraising. Elisabeth has a BA in Business Administration and School Health Education and has a Masters of Public Health focusing in Health Promotion from Southern Connecticut State University. Elisabeth currently serves as the Treasurer for the CT Chapter of the Society of Public Health Education. Elisabeth enjoys reading, going to the beach, baking, and spending time with her three cats.
Email Elisabeth: ematuska@esdhd.org

ESDHD Epidemiologist - Madison Wierzel, MPH
Madison started working at ESDHD in August 2020 as a Lead Contact Tracer and Data Associate after volunteering with the Medical Reserve Corps in the months leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. She is now an Epidemiologist at the Department focused on protecting the district’s health by promoting data-driven preventative measures. Madison graduated summa cum laude from Arcadia University with a BA in International Studies that focused on global public health. She graduated from Tufts University with a Master of Science in Nutrition and a Master of Public Health. Before going to graduate school, Madison spent two years working with Wholesome Wave, the Green Village Initiative (GVI), the Bridgeport Health Department, and the Thomas E. Carroll Nutrition Center through a FoodCorps AmeriCorps service term centered around school nutrition education and introducing students to healthy, locally grown foods that tasted great. She enjoys a strong cup of coffee and a good book. Email Madison: mwierzel@esdhd.org

Community Health Worker - Austin Telford
Austin joined the health department in 2022. Austin has worked as an Americorps College Advisor and has also worked as a research assistant at the Korey Stringer Institute. He is a graduate of the University of Connecticut where he majored in Allied Health Sciences and acquired his Masters of Public Health from Southern Connecticut State University. He is also an EMT. Email Austin : Atelford@esdhd.org

Nurturing Families Home Visiting Program

Clinical Supervisor – De Popkin, MSW, LCSW
Deidre Popkin LCSW, CLC
De joined the East Shore District Health Department in 2021. She received her MSW from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. De has been working with families and children in the New Haven area for over 18 years. In addition to De’s experience supporting parents around child development, she has worked as an advocate for incarcerated parents, truant teens and extensively with children and families in the foster care system. De is committed to building partnerships with agencies in the community to meet the unique needs of families participating in Nurturing Families Network.
Email De: dpopkin@esdhd.org  

Home Visitor – Karene Reid-Oriabor
Karene joined the East Shore District Health Department in 2013. Karene has worked at the YWCA as a head teacher for 10 years. She has also worked with Key Human Services as a Resident Instructor for five years. She holds an Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education and a BA in Early Childhood Studies.
Email Karene: kreidoriabor@esdhd.org

Home Visitor - Casandra Torres
Casandra joined the East Shore District Health Department in 2021. Casandra worked for Intensive In-home Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services for 8 years and DCF for 4 years. She holds a BA in Social Work.. Email Casandra: ctorres@esdhd.org  

Home Visitor - Carolina Serna
Carolina graduated with a B.A. in Child Developmental Psychology from Albertus Magnus. She joined the East Shore District Health Department in 2023. Carolina has provided home visiting services in the New Haven area for over 5 years.
Email Carolina: cserna@esdhd.org