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Top Honors go to Norman Haight and Paul Presendieu-Cuesta

Together with Joan McDonald, director of operations for Westchester County, the Westchester County Board of Health presented the 2018 Public Health Awards on Thursday April 19 at 10:30 a.m. in the Atrium in the Jeannette J. Phillips Health Center, 1037 Main Street, Peekskill.

This year’s awards recognize outstanding contributions to public health in Westchester by five people and celebrate the accomplishments of the public health community. The presentation was hosted by HRHCare Community Health in Peekskill. National Public Health Week was observed April 3-9.

“We all benefit from the commitment of these volunteers to improving the health of our community,” said McDonald, who presented the winners with proclamations honoring their achievements on behalf of County Executive George Latimer. “With their extraordinary concern for others, these individuals set an example for all of us. I congratulate the winners and I encourage other residents to follow in their footsteps.”

On behalf of Latimer, McDonald thanked the volunteer members of the Westchester County Board of Health for safeguarding the county’s health, along with Health Commissioner Dr. Sherlita Amler and the health department, who work together to preserve, protect and promote the health of Westchester residents.

Board of Health President Robert Baker, MD, presented the Dr. Harold Keltz Distinguished Public Health Service Award to Norman Haight, a lifelong Peekskill resident.

“Norman Haight has demonstrated an enduring commitment to improving the health and well-being of Westchester’s most fragile populations,” Baker said. “His volunteer work and service as a vice president and trustee at The Preservation Company, a not-for-profit agency, has supported the construction and preservation of affordable housing in the Hudson Valley.”
“Norman’s welcoming smile opens the door to his commitment to meeting the housing and health care needs of his community,” said Jeanette Phillips, executive director of The Preservation Company. “Throughout his years as a board member, Norman has worked to assure we partnered with developers to provide housing for seniors and special populations, and has supported events that bring the diversity of our communities together.”

The Board awarded the J.R. Tesone Youth Public Health Service Award to Paul Presendieu-Cuesta, 27, of New Rochelle, for his efforts to promote environmental awareness on the Westchester Community College campus. Mr. Presendieu-Cuesta led the effort to revive Earth Day on campus and has continued to expand Earth Day activities at WCC since 2015.

“As a Westchester Community College student, Paul made it his mission to revive earth day on campus and he has continued to volunteer his time to improve sustainability and environmental awareness there long after he graduated,” Baker said.
“We are very proud of Paul’s continued contributions to public health and public good,” said Westchester Community College President Dr. Belinda Miles. “Paul is an exemplary graduate of Westchester Community College who sets a high standard and is a great example of how an individual can make a positive difference on behalf of the environment.”

The Board also recognized three Public Health Honorees:

• Hector Santiago, 30, is a Yonkers resident and community activist who walked alone from Yonkers to Albany last summer to highlight the need for additional resources to address the mental health needs of New Yorkers. Mr. Santiago is a former gang member who initiated the StopAndShake campaign to improve relations between police and the communities they serve.

• Marisa Porgpraputson, 31, is a Scarsdale resident and recent College of New Rochelle graduate preparing for a career in nursing. A leader of the Student Nurses Association at CNR, she played an active role in publicizing and coordinating opioid education and training for CNR nursing students.

• Myrantz Assade, 36, is an Irvington resident and recent College of New Rochelle graduate who now works as a registered nurse. He was a leader of the Student Nurses Association at CNR who helped plan a series of educational events on campus to inform students about the opioid public health epidemic. Included in the events were opioid overdose prevention training sessions led by the Westchester County Department of Health.

“The Health Department is fortunate to have such capable partners working alongside us to promote public health in our communities,” said Health Commissioner Sherlita Amler, MD. “We are especially grateful to not-for-profit groups and to our honorees, who enhance and support the efforts of local organizations.”

Visit our student profile page to learn more about our alumni, current students, and their perspectives on education at Westchester Community College.

2015 hiring of Dr. Miles noted in Westchester Magazine calendar: http://www.westchestermagazine.com/Westchester-Magazine/February-2018/Black-Westchester/

A community forum held at the Yonkers Extension Center brought members of the community together to discuss the future of education and the workforce on Wednesday, April 4. Administrators and student leaders shared their perspectives alongside various community representatives.

See photos from the event here

Statement by President Belinda S. Miles on the passing of David Swope

I am saddened to share the news that our dear friend and colleague David Swope has passed away.

As a lifetime resident of Westchester County, David was much beloved and universally respected by the community. After a successful legal career in New York City, he returned home to be involved in his own businesses: Teatown Lake Reservation and Club Fit. He was active in many community organizations and served on the boards of Jacob Burns Film Center, Ossining Children’s Center, and Katonah Museum of Art. He served as Westchester Community College Trustee since 2011 and served as the Chair of the Board from 2013 to 2016. He served on the Westchester Community College Foundation Board as Director since 2001, President and Chairman from 2005 to 2013, and Co-Chair of its highly successful Gateway Campaign. David’s family is a longtime benefactor of the college and driving force in the development of the Foundation, which has been profound in support of student success.

I cannot capture in this message everything that David contributed to the college and the deep impact he had on the lives of our students and employees. He will be remembered not only for his achievements as a businessperson and monumental contributions as a community leader and philanthropist, but also for the standard he set for how to treat people. He was approachable, kind, and was always listening for ways to make the community better for everyone. There is much more that needs to be said to honor David’s memory. We will share further details on an appropriate tribute when they are announced.

Please keep David’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

Kristina M. Johnson visited the main campus on Tuesday, March 27. She met with President Miles, college administrators, faculty, staff, and students. We gave her a great Westchester Community College welcome!

Click here to see a photo gallery from the visit.

We are phasing in a new entry/exit system at the library. This new system will eventually require that ALL internal visitors (including students, faculty and staff) show a valid Westchester Community College ID before entering at the main entrance. During the next few weeks, we will allow entry to all, even if visitors do not have an ID. But at that time, we will advise visitors of the new rules and will expect them to get ID cards promptly. When February begins, students without IDs will be sent to the Security Office to get an ID before they may enter the library.

The Lezginka performance on February 10 has been cancelled. We regret that we will not be hosting this Russian Dance performance.

Spring 2018 Welcome Message from Westchester Community College’s President, Dr. Belinda S. Miles.