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Putnam County

Department of Health

A PHAB Accredited Health Department

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.

Welcome Message

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health is to improve and protect the health of our community.

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.

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Contact the Department of Health

  • Office | 845.808.1390

  • Fax | 845.278.7921

  • Fax (Nursing) | 845.447.9490

  • Address | 1 Geneva Rd, Brewster, NY 10509

  • Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD

    Commissioner of Health

Clinical Services & Communicable Disease Control

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Respiratory virus activity

For local information about COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV activity, please click here.

For national information about respiratory virus activity, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data/activity-levels.html

COVID-19 tests are now available through the Federal Government. Information and the order form can be found by clicking the following link: https://covidtests.gov/

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 STD's

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.

New Parent Support Groups through the health department:

  • Mahopac Library, located at 668 Route 6 in Mahopac, in the Lakeview Room, Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

New Parent Support Groups by Community Partners:

  • Hudson Valley Hospital Center (open to Putnam County residents.) This Breastfeeding Support Group is led by Certified Lactation Consultants. Registration is required by calling 914-734-3257.
  • Desmond-Fish Library. Tuesdays at 11am. More information can be found on their website.
  • Baby Café by Healthy Families at 155 Main Street in Brewster. Held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 11 a.m.
    English Flyer | Spanish Flyer

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Environmental Health

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Public Beach Closures.

For a current list of public beaches closed due to harmful algal blooms, please visit putnamcountyny.gov/health/beaches.

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/recycle

Filing a FOIL request.

Please click here to file a request.

Filing a complaint.

Please call the Department of Health at 845-808-1390 to file a complaint.

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Community Health Assessment, Education & Planning

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Health issues by topic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has up-to-date information about hundreds of health topics. 

CDC's Health Topics A-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.

If there are no courses being offered or the time of the current course is inconvenient, please click here to fill out a form to help us plan our next Freedom From Smoking class if you are over 18.

The health department is also able to offer N-O-T: Not On Tobacco, a vaping and smoking cessation program developed especially for teens. If you are 18 and younger and interested in an N-O-T course, please click here to complete a form to help us with planning.  

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 in Appendix A of the Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan.

For a Community Resource Guide: English | Español 

Requesting a presentation, guest
speaker or event tabling by DOH staff.

To request presentation/guest speaker, or DOH attendance at an informational booth or table, please click on the button below.

Make a request

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. The mission of the MRC 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/mrc

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.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Putnam County and Meals on Main Street have a partnership to bring fresh, locally grown food directly to communities. The fresh food is brought to various locations in Putnam County on a food truck. See the schedule at cceputnamcounty.org/food-nutrition/the-food-truck

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News & Events

News & Press Release

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About

Mission Statement

The mission of the Putnam County Department of Health is to improve and protect the health of our community.

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.

Putnam County Board of Health

Members

  • Daniel C. Doyle, DMD
    President
  • Paul Lebwohl, MD
    Vice President
  • Michael Schoolman, MD
    Secretary/Treasurer
  • Kathi Heiber, DVM
  • Amy Sayegh
    Legislative Member
  • There are currently two vacancies.

Meeting Schedule

The Board of Health meets every other month. The 2024 meeting schedule is as follows, subject to change:

  • February 12
  • April 15
  • June 17
  • August 19
  • October 28
  • December 16

By-Laws

Click here for the Board of Health By-Laws.

Leadership

Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD

Interim 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.