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Kathleen Cuddy, MPH Public Health Director Cayuga County Health Department 8 Dill St. Auburn, NY 13021 For Immediate Release: Friday August 31, 2018 County Health Department Staff Honored for 2017 HABs Work Cayuga County Administrator J. Justin Woods and Public Health Director Kathleen Cuddy are proud to announce that the New York State Department of Health (DOH) has selected Cayuga County’s 2017 Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Response Team for its 2018 Honor Roll. Cayuga County’s selection is part of DOH’s Health Works! Campaign, which raises awareness of the essential services that public health workers and the public health system provide to the residents of New York State. In 2017, the Cayuga County Health Department’s HAB Response Team worked prior to the bloom season to educate health department staff, community partners, and the general public about the harmful effects of HABs. The Team created innovative preparedness tools, informational campaigns, and urgent response messaging. Members of the HAB Response Team worked 7 days a week taking and shipping water samples for analysis, educating waterfront operators, and responding to calls from concerned citizens that needed help identifying and sampling potential HABs. The HAB Response Team’s impressive work process has been beneficial to other local health departments in New York State who are also seeking to address HABs in their counties. The work of the HAB Response Team with Cayuga County water operators and state partners stands out as remarkable and commendable example of cooperation and sharing of best practices. “The Public Health Works! Campaign raises awareness about the important work Health Departments perform in keeping our residents safe,” said Public Health Director Cuddy. “As the County Health Department continues addressing HABs, we appreciate this recognition and the role the campaign can play in promoting HAB outreach, education, and responses.” “Water quality is critical for human life, public health, tourism, and economic development. Thanks to the consistent educational outreach of the Cayuga County Health Department and the HAB Response Team, county residents, businesses, and visitors are better informed and more aware of the signs and dangers of HABs,” said Administrator Woods. “HABs are a growing problem, and we join DOH in applauding Director Cuddy and the HAB Response Team for their continued efforts to keep our drinking water safe.” The Cayuga County Health Department’s HAB Response Team will be featured on the New York State Department of Health’s Public Health Works! Website today through Thursday, September 6th. http://www.health.ny.gov/prevention/public_health_works/ ---PAGE BREAK--- Kathleen Cuddy, MPH Public Health Director Cayuga County Health Department 8 Dill St. Auburn, NY 13021 Members of the Cayuga County Health Department HAB Response Team are: • Mary Jump - Sanitarian • Kris Scholl - Sanitarian • Duane Ross - Sanitarian • Lisa Jones - Sanitarian • Kris Scholl - Sanitarian • Sharon Blowers - Principal Typist • Chrisann Hunt - Senior Typist • Kim Abate - Senior Public Health Educator • Deanna Ryan - Senior Public Health Educator • Deb Green - Office Manager • Megan Bell - Principal Typist • Scott King - Senior Sanitarian • Eileen O'Connor - Environmental Health Director • Kaitlyn Salato, RN - Registered Nurse This work could not be accomplished without the hard work and dedication of our community partners. These partnerships enhance the quality and scope of work that is accomplished and we are grateful to have strong working relationships. Work around HABs continues from year to year. Information on the 2018 HABs season can be found by visiting: www.cayugacounty.us/health and selecting the Harmful Algal Blooms tab at the top of the page.