Westchester County Public Health Awards 

Board of Health Seeks Annual Public Health Awards Nominees

Each year, the Westchester County Board of Health seeks nominations for its annual 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. If you would like to suggest a nominee at any time, please reach out to Caren Halbfinger, Acting Board Secretary, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The Board encourages community leaders, healthcare professionals, educators and residents to nominate worthy people or programs by January 9 using the nomination forms below. Previous awards have been presented to people and programs for efforts to promote healthy lifestyles, reduce food insecurity, substance and tobacco use; improve teen, mental or environmental health; expand services to seniors, children, immigrants, parents or families affected by cancer.

“Each year, we look forward to learning about the innovative contributions to public health by busy teenagers, adults and organizations in Westchester,” said Dr. Robert Baker, president of the Westchester County Board of Health. “Presenting these awards is a highlight for us. 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 children.

These awards will be presented in April to spotlight National Public Health Week, and the honorees and their achievements will be featured on the health department’s web pages.