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Making Connections: Public Health Organizations Say “Yes” to Posters!

11 June 2024

MAHOPAC, NY—It was not a golf game, but health challenges and successes in Putnam that took center stage last Thursday at the Putnam County Golf Course in Mahopac. The occasion was the Public Health Summit XI entitled “Making Connections.” The event stayed true to its name, inviting all community health improvement professionals to showcase their accomplishments and connect with colleagues by creating posters to demonstrate their missions and how they are addressing identified issues in Putnam. Two dozen health concerns were on display work covering everything from mental health and tobacco use to health concerns for target populations such seniors regarding falls, injuries or Alzheimer’s disease, and mothers and mothers-to-be regarding breastfeeding and maternity care. The cross-cutting issue of food insecurity was addressed by multiple organizations, including Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam and Westchester/Putnam Independent Living Services.

With early results from nearly half of all summit attendees, the “Poster Session” was given high marks. Just shy of 80 percent thought the poster activity provided a good way to share information about their organizations and 100 percent indicated it was a great way to learn and connect with organizations addressing health issues.

Ruby Koch-Fienberg, MA, agriculture and food systems coordinator at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam, advocates for improving food security in Putnam. One third of all Putnam households live paycheck to paycheck and the average cost of a meal in the county is second only to Manhattan. Food insecurity is linked to many chronic diseases, including various heart diseases, cancer, asthma and arthritis.

Yanira Padilla Cruz, associate director of care coordination at Open Door, discusses her work and the value of multiple cancer screenings for protecting the health of Putnam residents. Breast cancer, cervical cancer and colorectal cancer can all be screened for, and early treatment often means better outcomes.

Khushbu Upadhyay, MPH, a health promotion specialist at the Center for a Tobacco Free Hudson Valley, American Lung Association, engages an attendee in conversation about initiatives championed by the Center. Smoking rates for residents of Putnam have recently increased by 6 percent from 2018 to 2021, making this work even more necessary.

Heriberto Lockwood, Fidelis Care, reconnects with Natalia Sanchez, MA, Prevention Council of Putnam and previously a Public Health Corps Graduate Fellow at the PCDOH.

Karen Pilner, a retired nurse practitioner in psychiatry, has been working in the behavioral health field for more than five decades. She may be officially retired, but is busier than ever, serving on multiple boards, including the Board of Directors of CoveCare, the Mental Health Association, and the Putnam branch of NAMI (National Association of Mental Illness).

Longtime colleagues Marla Behler, LMSW, director of the Child Advocacy Center of Putnam County, shares a moment with Megan Castellano, MPA, program executive director, Guardian Homefront at Guardian Revival, and formerly executive director of the Mental Health Association of Putnam.

Alice Herde, director of the Mental Health Association of Putnam and Dennis Ullman, ED.M, MA, LPMHC, Putnam Hospital Center’s director of the behavioral health response team, have enjoyed a longstanding collaboration, helping Putnam residents often when they are most in need.

Medical Reserve Corps volunteers connect with the health department throughout the year, providing needed support at a variety of events, including Public Health Summit XI. From left are Carla Taylor, the new MRC assistant, husband and wife volunteers Judy and Joe Occhiogrossi; James Lynch, RN, and John Ohnmacht.

The longer one lives the higher the chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. More than many others, these diseases affect not only those with the diagnosis, but also their families and friends. As the county’s population of seniors grows, the prevalence of these illnesses is set to increase as well. Jordie Wilk, right, development manager who coordinates the Alzheimer’s walk to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research, joined her colleague Erin Lynch, MA, senior manager program volunteerism and health systems, to spread the word about the burden of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Collaboration and connections behind the scenes at the Putnam County Department of Health: from left Savannah Usher, a Public Health Corp Graduate Fellow; epidemiologist and summit presenter, Alison Kaufman, DVM, MPH; and Shanna Siegel, RN, supervising public health educator, attend to the information technology side of presenting.

The Health Department has also been partnering with the Prevention Council to offer FREE smoking cessation workshops to residents. For information on a group forming now, or to be put on the waiting list, call 845-808-1390, x 43155.

Supported by County Executive Kevin Byrne, left, Shanna Siegel, RN, supervising public health educator and Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD, interim health commissioner, the mantra “Public Health is for Everyone” is at the heart of what public health truly means—inclusive healthcare.

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