The Westchester County Board of Health is now seeking nominations for the 2026 Public Health Service Awards. The Board wants to learn about and encourage adults, young people and not-for-profit programs whose volunteer work has demonstrated creativity, and has helped to improve public health in Westchester.
The Board encourages community leaders, healthcare professionals, educators and residents to nominate worthy people or programs by January 9 using the nomination forms at https://health.westchestergov.com/news/public-health-awards.
Previous Public Health Awards have been presented to individuals and organizations who:
- Promote healthy lifestyles
- Reduce food insecurity, substance use and tobacco use
- Improve teen mental health or environmental health
- Expand services to seniors, families, children and immigrants affected by cancer
Westchester County Board of Health President Dr. Robert Baker said: “Each year, we look forward to learning about the innovative contributions to public health by busy teenagers, adults and organizations in Westchester. Presenting these awards is a highlight for the Board. Our hope is that these extraordinary people and programs inspire others to promote and protect public health in our County.”
The Dr Harold Keltz Distinguished Public Health Service Award is presented annually to a person or community-based organization, whose efforts have made an extraordinary contribution to the public health of Westchester residents but who is not professionally engaged in public health work.
The J.R. Tesone Youth Public Health Service Award is an annual award to a student up to age 21 for his or her creative contribution to public health in Westchester. The award was created in 2014 in memory of J.R. Tesone, a Board of Health member with a lifelong commitment to Westchester County children.
The awards will be presented in April to spotlight National Public Health Week, and the honorees and their achievements will be featured on the Westchester County and Health Department’s web pages.
