Ulster County Health Department Seeks Nominations for First Public Health Champions Awards

KINGSTON, N.Y. — The Ulster County Department of Health is inviting community members to nominate individuals, businesses and organizations for its first Ulster County Public Health Champions recognition program.

The new initiative will highlight residents and groups making positive contributions to public health across the county. Nominations are open in five categories:

Public Health Changemaker – Individual awards

Rising Public Health Star – Youth awards

Business for Public Health – Business awards

Community Public Health Champion – Community organization or coalition awards

Public Health Equity Champion – Recognizing efforts focused on equity in public health

Nominees must live in Ulster County or represent an organization that serves the county community.

Nominations are due July 31 at 2 p.m. and can be submitted through an online form at ulstercountyny.gov/nominate-a-public-health-champion. Award recipients will be recognized during a ceremony planned for late 2026.

The recognition program is inspired by the department’s “We Are Public Health” artwork commission, which highlights how community members contribute to public health through everyday actions.

Examples cited by the department include restaurants donating leftover food to community fridges, volunteers driving older residents to medical appointments, employers offering family-friendly workplace policies, and community members sharing extra produce from their gardens.

“Anyone can make a difference in public health,” said Ulster County Public Health Director Eve Walter. “That is why we are excited for this opportunity to learn about people, businesses, and organizations already doing their part to contribute positively to public health and make our County healthier.”

More information about the initiative is available at ulstercountyny.gov/we-are-public-health. Community members with questions can contact Kristin Kessler, director of community health, at kkes@ulstercountyny.gov.