Fellow Spotlights & 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.

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. 

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.

 

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!

Fellow Spotlights from Public Health Awareness Week, April 1st through April 7th, 2024

As part of National Public Health Week (NPHW), the NYSPHC wanted to highlight the important work happening across the State by Fellows through a Fellow Spotlight. For each daily theme, we will be spotlighting the work of our amazing NYSPHC Fellows. After taking a moment to learn about your colleagues, be sure to visit the NYSPHC LinkedIn Group to let us know how your work supports the daily theme, tell us why it is meaningful to you, or share information about a resource or organization that supports the topic.

Each spotlight will provide the opportunity to learn more about these Fellows by them answering the following questions:

• Where have you been placed and what do you do for your Fellowship?
• How does the NYSPHC fit in with your larger career goals?
• What excited you most about being selected to be a NYSPHC Fellow?  
• What do you like to do in your free time?
• What is a fun fact about yourself? 

Monday’s NPHW Fellow Spotlights: Isa Brackett (New York Statement Department of Health Fellow) and Regine Ndanga (Erie County Fellow)

Monday’s NPHW Theme: Civic Engagement

 

 

Thank you to all our Fellows for the work that you do every day to promote public health!  Remember to visit the NYSPHC LinkedIn Group to continue the conversation.

Tuesday’s NPHW Fellow Spotlight: Dalton Elser (Cayuga County Fellow) and Taylor Gerber (Livingston County Fellow)

Tuesday’s NPHW Theme: Healthy Neighborhoods

 

 

Thank you to all our Fellows for the work that you do every day to promote public health!  Remember to visit the NYSPHC LinkedIn Group to continue the conversation.

Wednesday’s NPHW Fellow Spotlight: Kevin Wang (Erie County Fellow)

Wednesday’s NPHW Theme: Climate Change

 

Thank you to all our Fellows for the work that you do every day to promote public health!  Remember to visit the NYSPHC LinkedIn Group to continue the conversation.

Thursday’s NPHW Fellow Spotlight: Elizabeth Arenare (Suffolk County Fellow), Emily Nojeim (Genesee and Orleans Counties Fellow), Samuel Rubin (Orange County Fellow), and Meghan Sheridan (Genesee and Orleans Counties Fellow)

Thursday’s NPHW Theme: New Tools and Innovations

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to all our Fellows for the work that you do every day to promote public health!  Remember to visit the NYSPHC LinkedIn Group to continue the conversation.

Friday’s NPHW Fellow Spotlight: Aena Iqbal (Dutchess County Fellow) and Rachael Jagger (Ontario County Fellow)

 Friday’s NPHW Theme: Reproductive and Sexual Health

 

 

 

Thank you to all our Fellows for the work that you do every day to promote public health!  Remember to visit the NYSPHC LinkedIn Group to continue the conversation.

Saturday’s NPHW Fellow Spotlight; Emily Aponte (Orange County Fellow), Gyladys Foko (Chenango County Fellow) and Ryan Stryker (Steuben County Fellow)

 Saturday’s NPHW Theme: Emergency Preparedness

 

 

 

 

Thank you to all our Fellows for the work that you do every day to promote public health!  Remember to visit the NYSPHC LinkedIn Group to continue the conversation.

Sunday’s NPHW Fellow Spotlight

Sunday’s NPHW Theme: The Future of Public Health

 

 

Thank you to all our Fellows for the work that you do every day to promote public health!  Remember to visit the NYSPHC LinkedIn Group to continue the conversation.

DON'T TOUCH!

Regional Highlights

Check out what our regions are up to! 

We want to share some of the wonderful things going on throughout the program over time. Please make sure you check in with us occasionally. If there's anything you'd like us to share please feel free to reach out to your Fellowship Placement Coordinator or email us directly.

Region 1

In-person visit with Allegany County Fellow Diane Davis, Health Department Director Tyler Shaw, Fellowship Program Specialist Amber Whiteside, and Fellowship Placement Coordinator Bridget Hallock Kasaoka

 

Region 2

Region 2 Photo Gallery coming soon!

Region 3

Region 3 Photo Gallery coming soon! 

Region 4

Region 4 Photo Gallery coming soon!

 

Region 5

Region 5 Photo Gallery coming soon!

Region 6

Region 6 Photo Gallery coming soon!

Region 7

Region 7 Photo Gallery coming soon!

Region 8

Region 8 Photo Gallery coming soon!