PUTNAM’S MRC VOLUNTEERS RECOGNIZED FOR EFFORTS, AIDING HEALTH DEPT. TO CUT COSTS, EXPAND SERVICES

Brewster, NY— Dozens of Putnam County Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) volunteers from all walks of life—including nurses, carpenters, lawyers, doctors and retired married couples—were in attendance for the Annual Dinner Meeting held on November 7 at the Putnam County Golf Course in Mahopac.

The dinner, organized by the Putnam County Department of Health, is held each year to thank these loyal neighbors and celebrate the work they do in support of Putnam County’s existing emergency response infrastructure. This year’s event provided an opportunity for Allen Beals, MD, Commissioner of Health, to personally recognize the volunteers for their efforts.

“Your dedication to the health and welfare of the County’s residents is invaluable, “Dr. Beals said, “not only during emergency situations such as we had last year during Hurricane Sandy, but also in our preparatory drills and activities.” Dr. Beals credited the outstanding efforts of his staff and the contribution of the MRC for his ability to expand services to the Putnam community and at the same time decrease his budget two years in a row.

Dr. Beals highlighted some of the recently expanded activities of the health department, such as new Hepatitis C testing; onsite flu immunization clinics in all Putnam County school districts; HIV and STD testing; availability of low-cost radon testing kits; expanded rabies control, with the success of the Feral Cat Task Force; heightened emergency preparedness following the crank radio and movie night event; progress toward national accreditation; greater engineering services for our homeowners due to the improved housing market this past year; intensified outreach by maternal child nurses supporting every pregnant woman in the county, and the launch of his Commissioner’s Column in the local newspaper dispensing useful medical information.

Volunteers, both non-medical and medical, continue to be needed for Putnam County’s MRC. Interpreters, amateur radio operators, mental health professionals, chaplains, pharmacists, infectious disease specialists, dentists and veterinarians are just some examples of welcomed personnel. Interested residents can find out more information by visiting the Putnam County website or calling Keiren Farquhar, the MRC coordinator at 845-808-1390, x43136.

The Health Department’s mission is to improve and protect the health of the Putnam County community, composed of nearly 100,000 residents. Core services include community health assessment, disease surveillance and control, environmental health protection, family health promotion and health education. For more information, please visit our website at www.putnamcountyny.com/health; or visit our social media sites on Facebook at www.facebook.com/putnamhealth and Twitter @PutnamHealthNY.