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Note: The PUTNAM COUNTY COURTS are not affiliated with Putnam County Government. You can call the Putnam County Court’s phone system at 845.208.7800.
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Visit The Department Pages for Contact Information.
Note: The PUTNAM COUNTY COURTS are not affiliated with Putnam County Government. You can call the Putnam County Court’s phone system at 845.208.7800.
Our Partners
The Putnam County Department of Health is made of several divisions all working towards improving and protecting the health of the community. Click on one of the options below to learn more about that division.
Interim Health Commissioner Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD joined the health department nearly 10 years ago. Dr. Mike, as he is known around the office and the community, is preparing to make his departure early in the new year. Continue reading for insight on his decades long career in medicine and public health.
What is your favorite part of working at the health department?
There are many aspects of my time at the Health Department that have been incredibly rewarding. If I had to choose one, my favorite part has been being allowed to contribute to impactful public health initiatives. I have been fortunate enough to work alongside a team of dedicated professionals whose main focus is to improve our community’s health and wellness while making a positive impact. Moreover, we have cultivated a passionate team with a strong sense of family and camaraderie. The Putnam County Health Department has a palpable atmosphere of support, commitment, and collaboration. This sense of shared purpose has made every day here fulfilling– this experience is something I will remember fondly and will always carry with me. The Health Department Staff is one of the best groups of human beings I have had the pleasure of working with, and I will truly miss them.
Is there a particularly rewarding experience you’d like to share?
The Health Department’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic was both challenging and rewarding. Working in this position during such a critical time has enabled me to experience the way public health officials need to adapt quickly, mobilize effectively, and perform well under pressure. At many points during the pandemic, our county was at the forefront, finding creative solutions to systemic challenges. One of the most rewarding aspects was being able to witness, firsthand, the collaborative efforts across departments, partners and external agencies to ensure all communities had access to quality healthcare– especially those who have been disproportionately affected.
What does your day-to-day work look like?
Most days begin with team meetings to discuss all developments and happenings in the near future. After strategizing, we often spend our days listening to the voices in our communities to better understand their concerns and questions. We work tirelessly to gather data and information that is pertinent to our community to make sure we make the most well-informed decisions for Putnam County and its residents. I have worked consistently to ensure increased visibility, transparency, and accessibility for the public. Public health is a collaborative effort and is rooted in effectively serving as many people as possible.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
There is a quote by Hippocrates that has been the foundation of my medical and public health careers. “Wherever the art of Medicine is loved, there is also a love of Humanity.”
I try to treat each person as family. It is through the health department, despite times of having to deal with challenging policies or unprecedented threats to public health, that we have made great achievements that benefit all of our citizens. The public would be very surprised to discover just how many things that the health department oversees, and to do it with a positive and proactive approach makes it even more meaningful.
What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned throughout your career?
From a young age, my beloved parents instilled many core values into me- among them was volunteerism. Public service has been a driving force of mine for as long as I can remember. This sense of duty led me to become the first male candy striper at Putnam Hospital Center, a Carmel FD volunteer since the age of 16, a Sheriff’s Cadet, and a lifetime Rotarian and Mason. I view public service as a privilege. It is an opportunity to give back to the community that means so much to me and has helped grow me into the person that I am.
-Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD
We thank Dr. Nesheiwat for his many years serving the residents of Putnam County and leading the health department over the last 10 years.
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
Office | 845.808.1390
Fax | 845.278.7921
Fax (Nursing) | 845.279.4104
Address | 1 Geneva Rd, Brewster, NY 10509
Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD
40 Gleneida Avenue
Carmel, New York 10512
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