Senator Jeremy Cooney Honors Dr. Michael Mendoza, Monroe County Commissioner of Public Health with NYS Award

Dr. Mendoza is the County’s top public health official and managed the health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Dr. Mendoza has been the scientific voice for the community, regularly keeping the public informed on updated health guidance.

In the early days of the pandemic, before the County had its first local case, Dr. Mendoza began training human services providers on how to limit the spread of COVID-19 and coordinated with stakeholders across sectors to educate the public on best practices on crisis response. By mid-June of 2021, 70% of adults in Monroe County had their first vaccine dose.

Senator Cooney honored Dr. Mendoza’s public health leadership, guiding Monroe County through the height of the pandemic to the early phases of the recovery.

The Senate Commendation Award recognizes exceptional people throughout the state who have made a lasting contribution to their community. Awardees serve as leaders in the community who enrich the social, health, and educational well-being of their fellow citizens.

Senator Jeremy Cooney

“Dr. Mendoza has been a steadying and trusted voice in our community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. His ability to share information in a clear and transparent manner helped our residents get through some of the most uncertain times many of us have ever lived through. This recognition is a testament to his leadership and commitment to our community. I thank Dr. Mendoza and his team at the Monroe County Department of Public Health for their frontline work over the last 18 months and their efforts to protect Monroe County residents.”

County Executive Adam Bello

“Dr. Mendoza has been a steadying and trusted voice in our community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. His ability to share information in a clear and transparent manner helped our residents get through some of the most uncertain times many of us have ever lived through. This recognition is a testament to his leadership and commitment to our community. I thank Dr. Mendoza and his team at the Monroe County Department of Public Health for their frontline work over the last 18 months and their efforts to protect Monroe County residents.”

Dr. Michael Mendoza, Commissioner of Public Health

“I am honored to receive this recognition from Senator Cooney, which is really a testament to the extraordinary contributions of my entire team at the Department of Public Health. Our community is so fortunate to have such dedicated and talented people working day in and day out to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible. I am also grateful that Senator Cooney acknowledges the essential role that science must play in making critical and sometimes even life-saving decisions during times like these. While most of us are enjoying a hard-earned respite from the worst of the pandemic, there are still pockets of our community where vaccination rates lag. We at the Public Health Department -- and across Monroe County government -- continue to do everything we can to help protect people living in those neighborhoods. Our work is not done yet.”

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