“Every year we are humbled by the creative and innovative contributions to public health in our community by busy teenagers, adults and organizations in Westchester,” said Robert Baker, MD, president of the Westchester County Board of Health. “The Board looks forward to learning about and acknowledging the extraordinary people and programs who make our County such a great place to call home. We hope their example of selfless volunteerism inspires others to help us 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 announced and 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.