Physician with Westchester-Putnam ties named statewide woman of distinction

ALBANY, NY - Senator Terrence Murphy proudly presented Dr. Sherlita Amler, Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Health, with the prestigious 2016 Woman of Distinction Award  at a ceremony held May 10th at the New York State Capitol. The Woman of Distinction Award recognizes the significant contributions women have made to their communities in a wide variety of fields including business, education, health and numerous other fields.

"Dr. Amler has had a long and distinguished career in health care," said Senator Murphy. "She has had a profound positive effect in two counties enforcing laws and regulations that protect our health and ensure the safety of our families. She has also been instrumental in bringing to light the rising problem of heroin and opioid addiction threatening our communities."

"I am humbled to be selected for this honor along with such a notable group of accomplished women," said Sherlita Amler, MD, Westchester County Commissioner of Health. "On behalf of County Executive Robert P. Astorino, I greatly appreciate the support of Sen. Murphy, especially the funding he arranged for secure medication lockboxes in Westchester."

Dr. Amler has been Commissioner of the Westchester Department of Health since 2011. Dr. Amler's department protects the public health in Westchester by providing Narcan training to the public to reverse opioid overdoses, promoting healthy behaviors, preventing the spread of disease, monitoring drinking water quality, bathing beaches, restaurants and food vendors and providing immunizations to adults and children, among other concerns.

Prior to serving as Commissioner of Health for Westchester County, Dr. Amler held the same position for Putnam County from 2004-2011. She began her career as a microbiologist and became a registered nurse before earning her medical degree in 1996 from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Amler completed a residency in pediatrics at Louisiana State University in New Orleans and is a board-certified pediatrician. Prior to moving to New York, Dr. Amler worked at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Amler is a Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics at New York Medical College and a Distinguished Lecturer and Senior Fellow for the Center for Disaster Medicine at New York Medical College's Institute of Public Health.

Each year the Senate honors the achievements of a woman from the 40th District and other distinguished women throughout the state. Each honoree's photograph and biography then becomes part of a special exhibit proclaiming the accomplishments of these exemplary New York women.

The Women of Distinction program was created as part of the Senate's celebration of Women's History Month. Each March the Senate hosts a display that honors distinguished women from New York's past and present, from leaders of the 19th Century suffragist movement to pioneers in education, science and the arts.