Fellow in the News & Shout Outs

In this section of the Training and Resources website, you will find important work of previous and current fellows, from being featured in their local news station to being part of the Regional Fellow Spotlights. As the fellowship program begins, we cannot wait to hear about and highlight your accomplishments on this page! 

*Shout Out Nominations*

NYSPHC In the News

This section will show off media coverage of NYSPHC Fellows.

Ross Milne and Sagarika Vemprala (Tompkins County/Region 3)

Fellows Ross Milne and Sagarika Vemprala were featured in the Tompkins County Whole Health Press on May 15^th, 2025. Ross Milne was featured for participating in a panel about a newly launched supportive housing program, and Sagarika Vemprala was featured for winning the New York State Fellowship Excellence in Public Health Award, both at the New York State Public Health Partnership Conference that took place May 1-2, 2025, in Ithaca, NY.

Morgan Greenwood (Essex County/Region 5)

Fellow Morgan Greenwood and colleagues from The Heart Network were featured in the Essex on Lake Champlain Community Blog on April 2^nd, 2025, about a donation made by the Alice Hyde Medical Center to help support programs for individuals to prevent and manage their chronic health conditions.

Jhenelle Clarke (Cortland County/Region 3)

Fellow Jhenelle Clarke wrote a blog post about reducing addiction stigma for the Courtland County Health Department Blog, published February 18^th, 2025.

Karley Copeland (Wyoming County/Region 1)

Fellow Karley Copeland and colleagues from the Wyoming County Mental Health and Health departments were featured in the Daily News on February 13^th, 2025, for their work in partnership with CredibleMind, a platform that will expand access to digital content about mental health resources.

Enjoli Lyon (Wayne County/Region 2)

Fellow Enjoli Lyon and Wayne County's partners at United We Stand were featured on WHAM 13 News on November 13th, 2024, in the Bright Spot Feature for their Blankets and Bagels event. This event brought people together to donate blankets and other warm items for those experiencing homelessness ahead of the colder winter months. 

Kristina (Tina) Murty (Wayne County Community Schools/Region 2)

Fellow Kristina (Tina) Murty and colleagues at Wayne County Community Schools were featured in the Times of Wayne County on October 5^th, 2024, for their efforts to show eighth grade students different career options at the 2024 Career Carnival held at the Wayne County Fairgrounds in Palmyra. 

Colette McDonald (Erie County/Region 1)

Colette McDonald was featured in multiple regional publications throughout Western New York for her work to organize and create the Emergency Eats cookbook, simple recipes that can be made during emergencies, especially when power, resources and fresh food may be limited.  

The cookbook is available online and physical copies will be available through the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library. 

Schuyler Lawson (Erie County/Region 1)

Dr. Schuyler Lawson, Lead of Research and Evaluation Team with No Menthol Buffalo, discussed the present dangers of menthol tobacco in our communities during an interview published on Partnership for the Public Good's YouTube channel and distributed throughout Western New York. 

45,000 African Americans die each year due to preventable tobacco related illness. No Menthol Buffalo seeks to ban the use of menthol tobacco products to inhibit the proliferation and addictive qualities to youth and adults within communities across the nation. Learn how you can aid in their public health efforts and the tricks of the tobacco industry that cause us harm.

Adamaah Grayse (Erie County/Western Region)

Fellow Adamaah Grayse was featured by a local news station for her important work in food justice. Ms. Grayse’s work was highlighted to coincide with the one year anniversary of the racist mass shooting on May 14^th, 2022, in Buffalo. The mass shooting took place at the only grocery store on the east side of Buffalo, essentially cutting off the black population of Buffalo from fresh produce for months. 

Solutions exist for poor food environments like East Buffalo

NYSPHC would like to thank Ms. Grayse and Grassroots Gardens for providing other means of bringing produce to this food apartheid region of Western New York. We would also like to take this opportunity to remember the lives lost in the senseless racist attack on our community. 

Ella James and Nina Sun (Schuyler County/Finger Lakes Region)

Schuyler County Public Health Fellows Ella James and Nina Sun were featured in The Odessa File for their work on a project about cancer screening paid leave policies among Schuyler County employers.

The Odessa File, January 3, 2024: Public Health Fellows present their work on Cancer Screening Paid Leave policies project

Emani Gonzalez (Onondaga County/Central New York Region)

Fellowships supporting health care in communities statewide

By Krystal Cole Syracuse
PUBLISHED 5:01 PM ET Apr. 12, 2024

Health care workers continue to be in demand in New York state. According to 2021 research, the state needs an 80% increase in health care worker positions to meet minimal services in communities. Fellowships are one solution to support that infrastructure across the state.

The fellowships are through the New York State Public Health Corps. Fellows’ backgrounds can be many areas, like nursing, IT or data science.

“I'm very shy and reserved, so this position has forced me to come outside of my comfort zone and speak in front of people, which I would never normally do,” said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez has been a fellow with the Allyn Foundation for almost a year.

“A typical day includes creating social media content like infographics; I work on a podcast,” said Gonzalez.

She works on a campaign called "Layla’s Got You," which focuses on promoting sexual health and well-being to Black women ages 18-25.

Gonzalez is one of 378 fellows currently working throughout New York, according to the Department of Health.

“The Public Health Fellows really gave us an opportunity to hire at a time when it was difficult to recruit and hire,” said Michelle Mignano, deputy commissioner of the Onondaga County Health Department.

Like many things, the New York State Public Health Corps Fellowship program was born from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“New York State was using the American Recovery, the ARA funds. The goal obviously was to heal our country, our nation, our state to think about locally, how could we employ people? How could we help keep us on track?” said Mignano.

According to the Department of Health, 626 fellows have been hired so far, working in 50 counties. Mignano said the initial money set aside for the fellows is running out in June.

“But the state recognizing how positive it’s been for all of our communities has provided additional funding. And so the expectation is that this first year, we’ll be getting fewer, far fewer, but still some fellows,” said Mignano.

“It gives opportunities for young people to get their foot in the door and to make a difference and use their voice,” said Gonzalez.

Mignano also said they have been hiring fellows into full-time positions. Overall, $127,945,550 was made available to support the fellows program, according to the Health Department.

Regine Ndanga (Erie County/Western Region)

Fellow Regine Ndanga was featured by a local news station for her important work with the Language Access Working Group to bring to fruition the successful passage of the Erie County Language Access Bill. According to Regine, this marks a historic moment as the first County legislator, outside of NYC, to enact a language access law. 

LinkedIn Post

Channel 2 News Story

Allison Robb and Leah Proper (Wyoming County/Western Region)

Fellows from The Wyoming County Health Department brought together a variety of police and fire departments along with multiple community resources out to the Warsaw High School for their first annual Community Night Out on Aug. 1, 2023. Click here to read more.

Dorian Johnson (Suffolk County/Region 7)

Fellow Dorian Johnson from the Suffolk County Department of Health Services was invited to speak as a panelist for the American Public Health Association on "Your Public Health Job Search: Building your Brand" and for the Public Health Communications Collaborative on "Building Your Public Health Comms Toolkit: Communications Planning on a Budget". Check out these webinars to gain insight and advice on public health communications!

 

                   

 

 

Shout Outs!

Kristina (Tina) Murty (Region 2/Wayne County)

I would like to extend heartfelt recognition and appreciation to my colleague and New York State Public Health Fellow, Tina Murty, for her instrumental contributions to the success of our second Wayne County EmpowerME event. Tina’s exceptional planning abilities, keen attention to detail, objective-driven focus, and strong leadership were pivotal in orchestrating an impactful experience for nearly 200 tenth-grade female students. This event brought together 20 community agencies, each contributing their talents, expertise, and resources to facilitate workshops on mindfulness, self-regulation, nutrition, positive self-affirmation, healthy decision-making, proper sleep habits, and the holistic benefits of physical movement on emotional and mental health. Under Tina's expert guidance, this collaborative community effort takes us a step closer to our shared vision: a generation of empowered young women who are prepared to shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities. We are immensely grateful for Tina's talents and the vital role she plays on Wayne County Community Schools' Optimal Health team.

Thanks, Jill Harper, for sharing!

Mariyam Ferdousi (Region 2/Monroe County)

Mariyam Ferdousi is really making a positive impact! Her calmness and organizational skills make her a great team member, and being a quick learner is such a valuable trait.

 

 

Thanks, Roxana Inscho, for sharing!

Enjoli Lyon (Region 2/Wayne County)

Enjoli is doing an exceptional job at the Wayne County Department of Aging and Youth. She has been instrumental in our Youth Homelessness Awareness Campaign, YOUTH HOPE MONTH, which we are promoting throughout November. She has assisted with the collection of donations of cold weather kits, hygiene products, blankets, etc. to be distributed to youth experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity and to organizations serving at-risk youth. Enjoli and our partners at United We Stand were featured on WHAM 13 News on 11/13 in the Bright Spot Feature for our blankets and bagels event.

 

Thanks, Kelly Beaudette, for sharing!

Sarah Kessler (Region 8/NYSDOH)

Shout out to Region 8 Fellow, Sarah Kessler, whose writings and contributions were recently published in Energy Magazine. We are thrilled to see our Fellow's work being shared and received so positively. Great job Sarah! 

 

Thanks, Jean Perry, for sharing!

Laura Sunder (Region 7/Nassau County DOH)

Shoutout to Laura Sunder in the Communications Department at NCDOH! As a fellow, she has completely modernized the branding and outreach of Nassau County’s Health Department, bringing it firmly into the 21st century. It’s amazing what fresh talent can do. Check out @nassaucountyhealth to see for yourself. 

Thanks, Corin Du Bois, for sharing!

Rachael Jagger (Region 2/Ontario County Public Health)

🎉 Congratulations, Rachael Jagger! 🎉

We are excited to celebrate Rachael's incredible contributions to improving Ontario County Public Health's Maternal and Child Health (MCH) program. Through her dedication and expertise, Rachael has earned certifications as a Clinical Lactation Counselor (CLC), Certified Childbirth Educator (CCBE), Certified Parent Educator, and a Certified Birth and Postpartum Doula.

As an invaluable part of our team, Rachael's work has had a profound impact on local families. She developed a range of free educational programs, including Birth Classes, Breastfeeding Classes, Back-to-Work Breastfeeding Classes, and Newborn Care Classes. Last year alone, Rachael’s classes helped improve birthing outcomes for 94 families.

Rachael has a special passion for working with low socioeconomic families, addressing the social determinants of health, and ensuring all families have access to quality education and support. By offering no-cost, in-home breastfeeding visits, she has removed critical transportation barriers for many families in need.

Thanks to her background in Early Childhood Development and her impactful first Fellowship, Rachael has been instrumental in transforming our MCH program from an idea into a shining example of what can be achieved through collaboration with the New York Public Health Corps Fellowship Program.

Thank you, Rachael, for your tireless work, compassion, and commitment to improving the health of our community. And a big thank you to the New York Public Health Corps Fellowship Program for supporting this invaluable work! 👏👏

We are lucky to have you, Rachael! 🌟

 

Thanks, Christy Richards, for sharing!

Amy Steele (Region 2/Pivital Public Health Partnership)

A huge shout-out to Amy Steele for her unwavering dedication and hard work behind the scenes to enhance performance management across Pivital counties! Amy’s commitment to tackling the "grunt work" — from data collection and data entry to creating surveys and building dashboards — is truly commendable. These essential tasks set the stage for the more exciting work of data analysis and performance management enhancement.
Her efforts are a crucial part of our mission to improve the health and well-being of residents across the Pivital counties. Amy's work helps inform decision-making and allows us to tell the health story of our region with more clarity. By laying the groundwork for impactful data-driven insights, she is helping to shape a healthier, more informed future for the communities we serve.

Thank you, Amy, for your dedication and hard work — you are truly making a difference in the lives of residents across our region!

 

Thanks, Kim Arnold, for sharing!

Benjamin Holden (Region 3/ Broome County Health Department)

Huge shoutout to my supervisor, Ben Holden (Broome County Environmental Health, Region 3). Ben is a great communicator and trainer, he is always in a positive mood, which encourages me to have a positive attitude towards my job, too. He does a great job helping me build my skills set and is very understanding and always willing to provide feedback on my work. He is currently training me on our field work (Food Program and Rabies Program) and also at the office. Thanks for making a difference in my PH career!

 

 

Thanks, Mariana Barrancos, for sharing!

Tyler Shaw (Region 1/ Allegany County Department of Health)

I am so thankful for my host, Tyler Shaw. He is the Public Health Director for Allegany County, and I want to take a moment to publicly express my thanks to him for his unbelievable support of me in the Public Health Fellowship role. From the moment I was hired, he went above and beyond to make me feel welcome in all departments of the health department and to encourage me to create items and plan events that ensure diverse access to community members across the county. He met with me frequently to answer questions and offer advice. He trusted me to engage with the community and be a strong representative of the health department, as well as to handle multiple projects. Tyler's professionalism and transparency have been so rewarding to work with. Thank you, Tyler, for this amazing experience! You are the difference that we see in Allegany County.

 

Thanks, Diane Davis, for sharing!

Christopher Crawford (Region 1/ Cattaraugus County Health Department)

Shout out to Cattaraugus County Fellow Chris Crawford for all of his hard work and dedication to public health and his guidance as a mentor.

Thanks, Anna Giglio, for sharing!

Julia Hyatt (Region 7/ Rockland County Department of Health)

I’d like to give a heartfelt Shout Out to Julia Hyatt for her incredible dedication and impact on our team. Julia doesn’t just work in public health—she treats it as her calling, bringing passion, purpose, and a deep sense of responsibility to everything shedoes. She never backs down from a challenge and has singlehandedly managed numerous projects with exceptional skill and composure. Her ability to lead with clarity and care, even in the most complex situations, inspires those around her. Thank you, Julia, for your tireless efforts and for being such a vital force in our team’s success!

 

                                                                          Julia at an outreach event in 2023

Thanks, Hassan Masroor, for sharing!

Corin Du Bois (Region 7/ Nassau County Department of Health)

Corin Du Bois does amazing work and is committed to Nassau County's Health Equity Resource Center. His work in combating food insecurity and providing more resources to Nassau residents should be highlighted and commended. 

 

 

                                                                              

Thanks, Elana Shakir Jenkins, for sharing!

Kristina (Tina) Murty (Region 2/ Wayne County Community Schools)

Tina Murty consistently demonstrates the highest level of professionalism, collaboration, and integrity in every aspect of her work with Wayne County Community Schools. Her extensive public health knowledge, strategic and forward thinking, and ability to analyze complex data contribute greatly to our team’s success. Even in the face of uncertainty, such as the potential abrupt ending of the Public Health Fellowship, she remains focused, solutions-oriented, and committed to our mission. Her leadership, clear communication, and unwavering support for colleagues foster a positive, high-performing environment. She is a true asset to our team and a model of excellence in public health service and collaboration.

 

 

Thanks, Jill Harper, for sharing!

Spencer Keable (Region 1 & 2/ NYS Public Health Corps Mentor)

I’d like to give a special shout-out to my co-mentor, Spencer Keable.

Working with Spencer—and our amazing fellows—has made this experience both enjoyable and a highlight of my day. His collaborative spirit and wealth of knowledge have been invaluable to the fellows and to me personally.

It’s truly been a pleasure working with you, Spencer. I hope our paths cross again in the future!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

                 

 Spencer Keable as a NYSPHC Fellow at the 2023 NYSPHC Summit 

 

Thanks, LaShawnda McClarin, for sharing!

Alexander Morrison (Region 8/ NYS Department of Health)

Shout-out to Alexander Morrison, NYS Public Health Corps Fellow, for his outstanding support of the 2025–2030 Prevention Agenda, New York’s State Health Improvement Plan. Alexander joined the Prevention Agenda team during an incredibly busy time and immediately stepped in with passion, curiosity, and a strong willingness to learn. His behind-the-scenes contributions have been instrumental in advancing this complex and high-impact statewide effort. Grateful for his dedication and support!

 

 

Thanks, Zahra Alaali, for sharing!

Jennifer (Jen) Jones (Region 7/ Westchester County Department of Health)

NYSPHC Fellow Jen Jones has been doing a stellar job on the Westchester County Department of Health Staff Training and Professional Development monthly newsletter! In addition to providing a curated selection of content area trainings for staff in each of our divisions, the newsletter also spotlights important DEIB trainings, celebrates heritage months and cultural recognitions, and provides refreshers on the important role of various public health agencies at the federal and state level. In a time when public health seems to be under attack, the newsletter is a clear and robust defense of the vital role that our field plays in keeping Americans safe and healthy.

 

 

Thanks, Elizabeth Bement, for sharing!

Aletha Sprague (Region 4/ NYSPHC Fellowship Placement Coordinator)

I want to give a shout-out to Aletha Sprague! An amazing co-lead for the Office of Public Health Strategic Planning Communications and Collaborations workgroup. Aletha is always present and keeps a smile on her face. Even when she is not on camera, you can actually hear her smile!! We truly enjoy working with Aletha!

 

 

 

Thanks, Tomica Collado, for sharing!

Ariel Compere (Region 7/ Suffolk County Health Department)

I want to give a big loud shout out to Ariel Compere-a true professional, in the midst of uncertainty she remains dedicated in providing valued work so necessary to the TB program here in Suffolk County. I don't know how we will survive without her should things not turn out how we all hope it will.

 

 

 

Thanks, Jean Gordon, for sharing!

 Binita Mahato (Region 4/ St. Lawrence County Health Initiative Inc.)

The Health Initiative would like to give a huge thank you to Binita Mahato for her amazing efforts and talents in transforming and streamlining our processes. Binita, who works in the Lifestyle Program Training & Technical Assistance Center, has been crucial in developing important data that helps us get funding for sustainability. Her work supports the Get Healthy North Country Coalition, a Community Integrated Health Network.

Binita's teamwork skills have been a key part of our success. Her ability to collaborate and work well with others has created a productive and positive environment, pushing our initiatives forward. 

Her innovative approach and hard work have not only improved our operations but also paved the way for a more sustainable future. Thank you, Binita, for your outstanding contributions and for making a significant impact on our organization and the residents throughout the New York State's North Country region.  

 

                                                  

Thanks, Jerome James, for sharing!

Elana Jenkins (Region 7 / Nassau County Public Health Department)

Shoutout to Elana Jenkins — one of the most consistent and underrated people in the Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Planning Division. Her work is often behind the scenes, but it’s essential to everything we do. I’ve gone to her plenty of times for help making sense of data or to gut-check an idea, and she’s always come through. Elana, thank you for being such a reliable and knowledgeable resource — your work deserves way more recognition than it gets.

 

 

 

Thanks, Corin Du Bois, for sharing!

Damaris Daniels (Region 5 / Schenectady County Public Health Services)

Shout out to all of the Schenectady County Fellows! They all have gone above and beyond their responsibilities and bring a diverse wealth of knowledge to the county. Even in the face of adversity and uncertainty with the fellowship, they all continue to be a bright spot and contribute to public health.

 

 

 

Thanks, Khrystin Comerford, for sharing!

Dorian Johnson (Region 7 / Suffolk County Health Department)

Dorian Johnson: Despite losing his position, Dorian has continued to double down on the programs and work he excels at doing for the Health Dept. Positive attitude and willingness to try new things speaks volumes about Dorian's work ethic.

 

 

 

Thanks, John T. Martin, for sharing!

Amber Priolo (Region 4 / Fulton County Public Health)

Fulton County Public Health Fellow Amber Priolo is a vital member of the team. Amber completes monthly educational outreach materials that are distributed out into the community, daily social media outreach, and the quarterly newsletter. She works closely with the team to prepare for tabling events and presentations at schools and community organizations. She has assisted with the food distribution program along with other FCPH staff and serves as the point person for the Year 13 Performance Incentive on extreme weather and climate health. The FCPH team values Amber's dedication and commitment to Fulton County residents.

 

 

Thanks, Angela Stuart Palmer, for sharing!

Samira Skochko (Region 8 / NYS Department of Health) 

Hi there! I'd like to shout out my supervisor Samira Skochko, she is the Asthma Surveillance and Evaluation Manager within the Public Health Information Group. Samira has been an incredibly supportive mentor and has made such a meaningful impact on my professional growth. I've learned so much about evaluation under her leadership, and generally much about the complexities with program development and implementation. She's been an amazing figure to have during this entire fellowship and even more so as this program concludes and I wanted to share my gratitude for her here. Thank you, Samira, for always encouraging me to grow and creating such a supportive space to learn!

 

                                               Fellow and supervisor are working on Project BREATHE NY (PBNY)

Thanks, Alizah Tariq, for sharing!

Wendy Douglas (Region 1 / Chautauqua County Health Department)

A 'shout-out' for Wendy Douglas in Chautauqua County. Wendy facilitates the Fellows program for our department in addition to her other work. While it is certainly not difficult to root for and admire our amazing Fellows, Wendy's care and desire to see them thrive, grow and succeed is apparent. She truly cares for our talented Fellows group (just as she does her own staff)! Thank you, Wendy!

 

 

Thanks, Lacey Wilson, for sharing!

Morgan Greenwood (Region 5 / The Heart Network)

Morgan Greenwood: Morgan has been an invaluable asset to our small but mighty team here at The Heart Network. Morgan took on several projects during her time here, ranging from planning and implementing a regional Tobacco & Vaping Use in Adolescents & Adults conference with more than 75 people attending; participating with management team to update personnel policies and procedures for staff; and overseeing grants and supporting smooth onboarding of new staff members, all with a positive attitude. In addition to those large projects, Morgan is the team's Canva master, polishing up or developing eye catching slide decks and flyers in the blink of an eye. One of the strongest characteristics Morgan has- is her exceptional note taking skills. All of the workflows, processes, meetings and job duties Morgan has held are all documented in an organized, rainbow color coated, and easy to read format. THANK YOU FOR BEING SO AWESOME, MORGAN. WE'RE GOING TO MISS YOU!

 

Thanks, Dan Sweet, for sharing!

Siobhan Stone (Region 8 / NYS Department of Health)

I would like to recognize Siobhan Stone who submitted an abstract to the STI Engage national conference and had it accepted as a 20-minute presentation. Unfortunately, she was not able to attend, and her supervisor will be doing the presentation for her. This is a big accomplishment.

 

Thanks, Steven Sawicki, for sharing!

Jean Perry (Region 8 / NYSPHC Fellowship Program Specialist)

I’d like to give a heartfelt shout-out to Jean Perry, the Region 8 Fellowship Program Specialist. From our very first interaction, Jean has been consistently supportive and kind, always offering thoughtful guidance and insight. During the uncertainty surrounding the “false alarm” about our layoffs, she responded with grace and genuine concern for our well-being. Jean is a consummate professional, and her presence, leadership, and care will be deeply missed.

 

Thanks, Micheil Cannistra, for sharing!

Jazmin Hernandez (Region 7 / Suffolk County Department of Health Services)

I just wanted to give a shout out to our fellow Jazmin Hernandez. Jazmin has proven to be a very valuable member of our team. Her greatest success has been her important role in our emergency response to Avian flu in Suffolk. With little time to prepare, Jazmin was so instrumental in helping us plan for a visit to the outbreak site. I was able to delegate administrative tasks to Jazmin in a hurry. She not only accompanied us to the site, but also did most of the required monitoring of the exposed workers, so that the rest of the team could continue normal operations. We have received much praise from the New York State Department of Health for our role in this response and Jazmin was a big part of that.

 

Thanks, Jackie Bolta, for sharing!

Audrey Myers (Region 6 / Sullivan County Public Health Department)

Audrey has been an invaluable asset to our agency at Sullivan County Public Health. Since day 1. She has assisted in the reconstruction of numerous departments that required development through the application of data analytics. She has been an amazing addition to our team, and we are fortunate to have her as a fellow.

 

Thanks, Ericka Acevedo, for sharing!

Sabryna Strack (Region 8 / NYS Department of Health)

Sabryna Strack has become a critical part of the Disability and Health Program. In fact, I cannot see how we could have continued to push forward through all the challenges of the past months without her ability to keep going and continue to learn new things. She jumps in to a situation even when it means she will have to learn new systems or software, and always delivers fantastic quality. I count on her and she always comes through! I am so very grateful for her and her presence in the Disability and Health Program.

 

Thanks, Shirley Madewell, for sharing!

Nancy DelMastro (Region 7 / Westchester County Health Department)

Nancy DelMastro in Westchester County is a superstar! Nancy consistently goes above and beyond. She brings heart, dedication, and an incredible work ethic to everything she does-- and somehow still manages to raise her hand for the big projects. I appreciate Nancy's generosity with her time and energy and commend her for her work on the CHIP and strategic plan. She is an amazing human. Westchester is lucky to have her!!

 

Thanks, Erica Winter, for sharing!

Hamdullah Hassan (Nassau County Department of Health / Current PHIG Fellow, 1.0 NYSPHC Fellow)

Hamdullah Hassan - Public Health Specialist II (PHIG): Hamdullah serves as the Maternal Health Lead under the Bureau of Health Access, and his unwavering dedication to improving the health of mothers and children in our County is evident in all that he does. Through his leadership, he has launched impactful programs such as the Community Baby Shower and the Lactation Support Group, providing essential support and education to families. In addition to his programmatic work, Hamdullah also serves as co-Secretary of the Nassau County Perinatal Services Network, where he plays a key role in advancing collaborative maternal and child health efforts. He is a thoughtful leader, a skilled organizer, and a true asset to our team.

 

 

 

Thanks, Dr. Kimberly M. Robinson, for sharing!

Corin Du Bois (Region 7 / Nassau County Department of Health)

Corin Du Bois - Public Health Specialist III (Fellow): Corin serves as the Food Security Lead under the Bureau of Health Access, where he consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication and leadership. He is a proactive and dependable team player who goes above and beyond to ensure that our community members have access to the vital resources they need to achieve optimal health. Corin is not only a strong presenter but also a natural connector. He has a natural ability to bring people together and foster meaningful partnerships. His commitment, initiative, and collaborative spirit have made a lasting impact, and I am deeply grateful for his hard work and contributions.

 

 

 

 

Thanks, Dr. Kimberly M. Robinson, for sharing!

Yash Chikara (Region 7 / Westchester County Health Department)

A big shout out to Yash Chikara for his exceptional work developing numerous data dashboards and GIS maps that bring critical local data to life. Yash’s talents have significantly expanded the department’s capacity to make complex information more accessible and actionable for our staff and local partners. His project completion rate is a true testament to his deep expertise--able to move from concept to completion with impressive speed and precision is a result of his strong command of both data and systems. Yash is an invaluable part of our team, and we are deeply grateful for the skill, dedication and impact he brings to every project.

 

 

 

Thanks, Marie Roth, for sharing!

Nicholas (Nick) Millson (Region 1 / Chautauqua County Health Department)

Nick Millson has proven to be an absolute rockstar at the Chautauqua County Health Department. Over the past year, he has taken on a wide range of projects with enthusiasm and dedication — from managing our social media platforms, to developing standard practice guidelines for public health outreach, to collecting key data for our Community Health Assessment.

Nick’s impact extends across multiple divisions. He has provided essential outreach and education at our Mobile Health Clinics, supporting the Community Health Division, and has assisted the Environmental Health Division by conducting beach water quality testing.

What truly sets Nick apart is his can-do attitude and unwavering willingness to pitch in wherever needed. No task is too big or too small — he consistently brings positivity to everything he does.

Thank you for being such an incredible part of our team, Nick! We appreciate you!

 

Thanks, Sherri Rater, for sharing!

Megan Polhamus (Region 3 / Madison County Public Health)

Our NYSPHC Fellow, Megan Polhamus, has made a tremendous impact on the Madison County Public Health team and broader community. She has played a pivotal role across projects, from the Year 12 Performance Incentive to Accreditation and the Community Health Assessment. She is our Canva connoisseur. In addition to promotional materials, she has developed a data brief template now used department-wide and has created many herself. With creativity, professionalism, and a collaborative spirit, she supports colleagues and takes on new challenges with enthusiasm. Her drive, adaptability, and commitment make her a valued member of the MCPH team! 👏

 

Thanks, Erica Bird, for sharing!

Jennifer Jones (Region 7 / Westchester County Department of Health)

Jennifer Jones is a NYSPHC fellow working at the Westchester County Department of Health. When Jennifer first started her fellowship, she conceived the idea of creating a newsletter aimed at enhancing learning and development within the department. Over the last two years, Jennifer has taken on the role of content creator and designer, successfully distributing a monthly edition of the newsletter. Shout out to Jennifer for all her fantastic work!

 

Thanks, Luke Grandis, for sharing!

D'Naja Trotter (Region 5 / Mechanicville Area Community Services Center)

D'Naja Trotter presented at our October mentoring cohort meeting and shared information about her fellowship placement. It was inspiring to learn about her work with The Pantry at the Mechanicville Area Community Services Center. She described how she navigated systems change with staff and volunteers as they moved to a new space. She assessed the strengths and weaknesses in the original pantry set up and then tested designs in their new location to optimize the experience of patrons. She has implemented plain language, accessible signage and started featuring exciting new recipes to encourage healthy eating with pantry staples. She also organizes extra community food distributions as needed to ensure fresh food does not go to waste. Her efforts help feed the body and soul of the community! Keep up the amazing work, D'Naja!

 

 

Thanks, Cali Riese Messner & Shani Fields, for sharing!

Nida Zaidi (Region 8 / NYS Department of Health)

Nida Zaidi joined the Data Quality team at the New York State Cancer Registry (NYSCR) in August 2024, through the NYSPHC program. Nida showed great interest in the cancer registry field including becoming an Oncology Data Specialist (ODS), a credential of the National Cancer Registrars Association. As part of her fellowship and preparation for the ODS exam, Nida took an anatomy and physiology class to better understand the cancer disease process and diagnosis of cancer, as well as learning how to collect cancer surveillance data as defined by standards used nationally. Nida has also assisted our education and training coordinator with updating the reporting manual and creating educational tip sheets, resources distributed to all reporting facilities in NY. Nida recently took and passed the ODS certification exam. The NYSCR would like you to join us in congratulating our newest Oncology Data Specialist, Nida Zaidi!

 

Thanks, Laura Patterson, for sharing!

Mary Ross (Region 7 / Suffolk County Department of Health)

I would love to give a shout out to Mary Ross our Suffolk County PH Fellow, for all of her hard work and support! We also want to thank her for her work on the Long Island Health Collaboratives' Cultural Competency & Health Literacy 101 - Free Static Video Training Module (https://www.lihealthcollab.org/healthy-resources/cchl-101)! This training is geared toward health and social service providers located on Long Island and anyone with an interest in learning more about cultural competency and health literacy. Keep Up the Great Work!

 

 

Thanks, Adesuwa Watson, for sharing!

LaShawnda McClarin (Mentor - Region 1 & 2)

Shoutout to LaShawnda McClarin, my co-mentor, who has been an absolute pleasure to work with. LaShawnda is extremely knowledgeable about public health in general, and about topics and resources that aligned with our mentees work and their professional interests. She created a comfortable space for everyone in our group to connect and engage in open and honest discussion. I am grateful I had the opportunity to meet and work with her as part of this NYSPHC Fellowship cohort. 

 

Thanks, Spencer Keable, for sharing!

National Public Health Week - 2026

National Public Health Week is here! from April 6-12, 2026 and this year's theme is Ready, Set, Action! 

As we celebrate NPHW, take a moment to recognize how public health has improved our daily lives, safeguarded our families, expanded our life spans, and strengthened our communities. This week is also a chance to honor the public health workers who show up for us every day — and to advocate for policies and practices that promote good health for all. 

Fellow highlights for National Public Health Week are shared in the NYSPHC LinkedIn page and added to the New York State Public Health Corps website in the Hear from Fellows section.