Niagara County's Stapleton named NYSACHO president

The New York State Association of County Health Officials has announced the results of its 2019 election for its board of directors and executive committee. NYSACHO represents 58 local health commissioners and public health directors, serving as the voice for all New York state’s local health departments. The executive committee consists of the president, vice president/president-elect and immediate past president.

The 2019/20 NYSACHO board of directors executive committee are as follows:

•President – Daniel J. Stapleton, MBA, Niagara County public health director.

•Vice president – Kevin Watkins, MD, MPH, Cattaraugus County public health director.

•Immediate past president – Paul A. Pettit, MSL, Genesee and Orleans County public health director.

The additional board membership is comprised of public health leaders with representation throughout the state, which will further support the overarching mission of public health in New York state.

“The newly elected officers and directors of NYSACHO’s board possess extensive knowledge and diverse experience in the field of public health. We are confident that this board, led by this executive committee, will provide strong leadership that will further NYSACHO’s mission of supporting, advocating and empowering local health departments in their work to promote health, wellness, and disease prevention throughout New York state,” Sarah Ravenhall, NYSACHO executive director, said. “This group of directors represents a deeply dedicated assembly of champions who have made considerable contributions to our organization throughout their terms.”

Public Health Director Daniel J. Stapleton is a lifelong resident of Niagara County who has been serving with the Niagara County Department of Health for over 20 years, and over a decade as the director. In addition to serving on the board of NYSACHO, Stapleton served as an adjunct professor at University of Buffalo School of Public Health and Health Professionals, is a member of Western New York Public Health Alliance, a public health representative of Western Regional Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Coalition, and serves as co-chair of the medical subcommittee of the Niagara County Opioid Overdose Task Force. 

“We are extremely pleased to announce that Niagara County public health director, Daniel Stapleton, will be serving as president of the New York State Association of County Health Officials Board of Directors. We are proud that NYSACHO will be led by such a talented representative to promote public health issues throughout New York State,” said NYSACHO’s immediate past president Paul Pettit, public health director, Genesee/Orleans counties. “Rural communities throughout the state stand well represented within NYSACHO’s leadership this year.”

The new board of directors and executive committee will become active in their leadership roles effective June 1. 

To view a listing of NYSACHO directors and for more information, visit https://www.nysacho.org/about-us/board-of-directors/.