News and Events

The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply impacted the health and wellbeing of the entire community, including youth, parents, seniors and essential workers who had to put themselves at risk, as well as residents who have been living alone, self-isolating or experiencing the loss of friends, family and neighbors. “Workers and residents with fewer resources and greater exposure to COVID-19 have suffered disproportionately from the pandemic, resulting in a growing need to address health disparities by promoting access to health and human services,” said Mr. Villazhinay Matute. 

Although community health fairs have been an effective approach for promoting awareness of and access to such services in Westchester County, health fairs have been largely absent in northern Westchester, resulting in a significant disconnect between suburban residents and community resources pertaining to health and wellbeing. The Health and Wellness Committee decided to change that and launch the inaugural Health and Wellness Fest.

More than 200 residents were connected to health, human services and information while enjoying a live band. Through targeted outreach to communities that have been most impacted by health inequities, key stakeholders had the chance to network and establish mutually beneficial partnerships and encourage local economic vitality in the public and private sectors.

Subject matter experts shared their knowledge and expertise throughout the day. Twelve speech-language pathology students under the guidance of Vikas Grover, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, associate professor of speech-language pathology; and Kathleen Franklin, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, chair and associate professor of speech-language pathology, enthusiastically provided early childhood language development screenings and audiometry screenings for the community. Amy Ansehl, D.N.P., R.N., M.S.N., FNP-BC, second from left, associate dean for School of Health Sciences and Practice student experience and director of applied practice experience, as well as associate professor of public health, who directs the structured public health practice experience for students to take a population-based approach to a problem and apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom, was also on hand. She also shared information on the Children’s Environmental Health Center of the Hudson Valley in her role of director of community outreach and education for the center. “It’s always rewarding to see NYMC reaching out to its community and I was happy to represent the Children’s Environmental Health Center of the Hudson Valley, especially during children’s environmental health month in October,” said Dr. Ansehl.  

Other topics included Tai Chi, Zumba, hands-only CPR, naloxone and STOP THE BLEED training. The inaugural event was well received by all participants and new partnerships were formed to foster a better and healthier future for the community. “We hope the Health and Wellness Fest will have a lasting, positive impact on the health and well-being of the northern Westchester region,” said Mr. Villazhinay Matute.

Photo from left: George W. Contreras, M.E.P., M.P.H., M.S., CEM, FACEM, assistant professor in the Institute of Public Health, NYMC, and dean of the School of Health Careers, Technology and Applied Learning, SUNY Westchester; Amy Ansehl, D.N.P., R.N., M.S.N., FNP-BC, associate dean for School of Health Sciences and Practice student experience and director of applied practice experience, as well as associate professor of public health; Maryam Albarakati, M.P.H. student in health policy and management and president of Student Healthcare Executives (StuHe); Bruno S. Villazhinay Matute, M.P.H. ’22, a Dr.P.H. student in the SHSP and senior administrator in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; and Councilman Andres L. Castillo Quintana.