Westchester County Executive George Latimer and the Westchester County Board of Health recently presented the 2023 Public Health Awards, recognizing the outstanding contributions to public health in Westchester by three adults, two organizations and one student.
Latimer said, “Today, we honor the contributions of a robust network of volunteers and community partners who help improve the health of our county, and I also want to thank the volunteer members of the Westchester County Board of Health, along with Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, M.D., and the staff of our Health Department, whose vital work benefits us all.”
Latimer presented the winners with proclamations honoring their achievements and said: “These awards highlight the important role that public health plays to preserve the health of Westchester residents”¦.”
The awardees included Beverley Chang, PA-C, MPH, a physician assistant from Peekskill; the Tesone Youth Public Health Service Award was presented to Jason Starr, a Briarcliff High School senior; and the Commissioner”™s Award was given to Michael Palumbo, M.D., executive vice president and chief medical officer at White Plains Hospital.
Also, the Health Department presented two Special Recognition Awards to agencies that partnered with the department by hosting clinics and helping to get the word to residents who could benefit. The Yonkers Riverfront Library was recognized for creating a safe space for Covid-19 clinics, hosting 17 in 2021 and 2022, and the Loft LGBTQ+ Community Center was selected for helping the department rapidly respond to the Mpox outbreak, by hosting five clinics over a nine-week period.
The LOFT Executive Director Judy Troilo said, “We need to acknowledge Westchester County Executive George Latimer. He was committed to blunting the spread of this horrible disease. He immediately dispatched the Department of Health and together we held clinics at The LOFT from July to September, providing over 700 inoculations to members of our community in a safe and affirming environment. With this partnership, we successfully helped reduce the spread in Westchester County.”
