The Putnam County Department of Health is made of several divisions all working towards improving and protecting the health of the entire community, through the lens of equity. Click on one of the options below to learn more about that division.
I want to know more about…
COVID-19.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve as variants develop and new information about the virus is discovered by state, federal and global scientists. Protect yourself and your loved ones by staying informed on local disease trends and taking the recommended precautions.
To stay up-to-date with local information about COVID-19, including the dashboard and trend summaries, please visit www.putnamcountyny.com/health/covid19
For statewide information about COVID-19, please visit coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home
For federal information about COVID-19, please visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
Making an appointment at an immunization clinic.
To make an appointment for childhood, adult, or travel immunizations, please call 845-808-1332.
Scheduling a TB skin test.
To schedule an appointment for a TB skin test, please call 845-808-1390.
Getting tested for STDs.
Through a partnership with Open Door Brewster, Putnam County residents can receive free testing and treatment for Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Syphilis. To make an appointment for testing and treatment, please call Open Door Brewster at 845-279-6999 and tell them you were referred through the Putnam County Department of Health.
Resources for new parents.
Trusted resources for parents and caregivers of newborns can be found here. These resources were curated by the Nursing division’s Maternal Child Health program staff.
A new Moms Support Group is being hosted by PCDOH nurses at the Mahopac Library on Wednesdays from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm.
A Breastfeeding Support Group located at Hudson Valley Hospital Center is open to Putnam County residents. The group is led by Certified Lactation Consultants. Registration is required by calling 914-734-3257. Additional support groups will be added as more pandemic-related restrictions are lifted.
A New Parent Support Group is available online through the Desmond-Fish Library. More information can be found on their website.
I want to know more about…
Water testing.
The Putnam County Department of Health performs water testing on town water systems, community water systems with five or more connections (condos, apartments, or housing developments), plazas and office buildings with 25 or more employees, and small businesses on their own wells that serve 25 or more different people (like restaurants and gas stations).
Homeowners with private wells are responsible for testing their own water. A list of certified labs can be found here. Health department staff are available to help explain water test results and answer questions at 845-808-1390.
Opening a food service establishment.
Anybody interested in opening a food service establishment or food truck, trailer, pushcart, or anybody planning to serve food at an event such as a street fair should contact the PCDOH and the local town or village where they will be operating for approvals. All applicants must contact the PCDOH and receive approval prior to the construction of any new food service establishments or food trucks. All food service establishments and mobile food service operations must apply for a permit and be inspected by the PCDOH. For more information, click here.
Children’s Camp operations.
The Putnam County Department of Health permits children’s camp programs to operate legally, and ensures that it operates with the State Sanitary Code requirements. A permit is issued only when the camp is in compliance with the state’s health regulations. Each camp is inspected to ensure the physical facilities are safe, supervision is adequate and the facility is in compliance with the NYS Sanitary Code. Children’s camps must be inspected twice yearly by a health department representative. Those interested in applying for a permit to operate a children’s camp should call 845-808-1390.
Recycling and garbage disposal.
For recycling and other disposal information, please visit putnamcountyny.com/health/recycling.
Filing a FOIL request.
Please visit putnamcountyny.com/county-clerk/foilofficer/electronic-f-o-i-l-request-form to file a request.
Filing a complaint.
Please call the Department of Health at 845-808-1390 to file a complaint.
I want to know more about…
Health issues by topic.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has up-to-date information about hundreds of health topics. Please browse the A-Z list below:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Click here for more health information provided by the New York State Department of Health.
Quitting smoking.
Congratulations on deciding to quit smoking! For resources and free nicotine replacement therapy, please visit https://nysmokefree.com/ or call 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487).
Freedom From Smoking classes are offered by the health department and other community organizations. When a course is scheduled, that information will be shared here.
Community partners.
The Putnam County Department of Health works with a variety of businesses and organizations in the community. From restaurants, camps and schools to healthcare providers and even more, they all work with the health department to improve and protect the health of Putnam County.
A list of community partners working towards objectives in the most recent Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) can be found on pages 61 to 63 of the Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan.
Joining the Medical Reserve Corps.
The Putnam County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) recruits and trains volunteers to support the county in the event of an emergency or disaster. Their mission is to serve the community by strengthening public health, improving emergency response capabilities and building community resiliency. To learn more, or to sign up, visit www.putnamcountyny.com/mrcvolunteer/
Food assistance available in Putnam County
A list of food pantries available in Putnam County can be found at map.thefoodpantries.org.
To apply for WIC, a special supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children, find an office here or call 1-800-522-5006.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is administered through the Department of Social Services or at mybenefits.ny.gov/mybenefits.
News & Events
About
Mission Statement
Our dedicated staff works tirelessly to protect the health of Putnam County residents. We strive to prevent the spread of disease, protect against environmental hazards, promote healthy lifestyles, ensure access to quality health services, and respond to disasters. We encourage you to explore our website and contact us if you have any questions.
Open Hours
1 Geneva Road, Brewster NY 10509
Monday to Friday (9am – 5pm)
*Summer Hours (mid June to mid September): Monday to Friday (8am – 4pm)
Leadership
Michael Nesheiwat MD Commissioner of Health
Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD, assumed leadership of the Putnam County Department of Health in December 2015. Prior to his role at the PCDOH, he had a successful Family Medicine practice for 30 years with an office in Brewster and had been a senior attending physician on staff at Putnam Hospital Center (PHC) since 1992. Dr. Nesheiwat also held positions at PHC as Chairman of Medicine and on the Board of Directors, serving in each role for over a decade. He currently is a trustee of Nuvance Health. Additionally, Dr. Nesheiwat served on the Putnam County Board of Health for over 25 years before being named Health Commissioner.
Dr. Nesheiwat received his medical degree in 1986 from the State University of New York, completed an internship at Brooklyn Hospital Center, and a Family Medicine residency at St. Joseph’s Medical Center (SJMC) in Yonkers, where he was chief resident and director of the emergency department at SJMC. He currently holds the academic title of Distinguished Visiting Professor in the School of Health Sciences and Practice at New York Medical College.
His passion for caring is evidenced by his strong community involvement. He serves as chief medical officer at the Putnam County Correctional Facility. He is a board member and life member of the Carmel Volunteer Fire Department, and an active volunteer in numerous civic organizations including the Fraternal Order of Police, the Free and Accepted Masons, Shriners, and Rotary Club. Since 2005 he has been the police surgeon for the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department.
The Putnam County Board of Health
Members
Daniel C. Doyle, DMD, President
Michael Schoolman, MD, Secretary
Herb Bessen, MD
Paul Lebwohl, MD
Amy Sayegh, Legislative Member
There are currently two vacancies.
Meeting Schedule
The Board of Health meets every other month. The 2022 meeting schedule is as follows, subject to change:
- February 28
- April 18
- June 20
- August 15
- October 17
- December 19
By-Laws
Click here for the Board of Health By-Laws.
Contact Us
- Phone Number: 845-808-1390
- Fax Number: 845-278-7921
- Fax Number (Nursing): 845-279-4104
- Toll free (TTY) for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Speech Impaired: Dial 7-1-1 or 800-662-1220
- Email: PutnamHealth@putnamcountyny.gov
Complaints on facilities will not be addressed at this email address. To file a complaint, please call the Department of Health directly at 845-808-1390.
The above email is only monitored during normal business hours, Monday to Friday.
In the event of an emergency, Health Department staff are available 24/7. Please call 845-808-1390 to report a public health emergency, rabies exposure, communicable disease, water outage or sewer overflow.
If you are a member of the media and would like to contact the health department, please email healthmedia@putnamcountyny.gov.