Nesheiwat Named Acting Commissioner of Putnam Health Department

County Executive MaryEllen Odell has named Dr. Michael Nesheiwat Acting Commissioner of the Putnam County Health Department.

“Dr. Nesheiwat has been an asset to the Putnam County community for many years,” said Odell in the announcement. “I am confident that he will do an incredible job overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Health Department while we undergo this transition.”

This is the second time Dr. Nesheiwat has assisted the health department through a period of transition in leadership.

“I am honored to be appointed Acting Health Commissioner of the greatest county in New York, Putnam County,” said Dr. Nesheiwat. “I will work closely with our County Executive’s office, and the outstanding Health Department staff to ensure that our citizens’ health, wellness and safety needs are served well.”

He served as medical consultant until June 2012.

“Dr. Nesheiwat has always been there for Putnam County through the many roles he has played,” said former County Executive Paul Eldridge, who is the current Director of Personnel. “In my short stint as County Executive, I tapped Dr. Nesheiwat to serve as our medical consultant when Dr. Amler went to serve as Commissioner for Westchester County, and Dr. Nesheiwat was there for us. And, so he is again.”

“I have known Dr. Michael Nesheiwat for many years and I am looking forward to working with him,” said Robert Morris, Putnam County Director of Environmental Health Services. “His reputation as a professional is outstanding and he is also a pillar in the Putnam County community. As the Department begins a new chapter under his leadership, I am confident we are in very capable hands.”

In addition to his own family medicine practice, with offices in Brewster and Somers, Dr. Nesheiwat has been a senior attending family practitioner on staff at Putnam Hospital Center (PHC) since 1992. He also currently serves on the PHC Board of Directors and has served as chairman of its Department of Medicine for more than a decade.

Dr. Nesheiwat received his medical degree in 1985 and completed a medical internship at Brooklyn Hospital. His post-doctoral training included a residency in family practice at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Yonkers, where he also received training in emergency room trauma medicine.

His passion in caring for our community is evidenced by his active community involvement. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons; Shriners; Rotary Club; and the Putnam County Board of Health (a membership which he will be suspending during his tenure as Acting Commissioner of Health). He also serves as Putnam County Correctional Facility’s medical director and surgeon; Fraternal Order of Police member; Carmel Fire Department board member; and medical director/consultant to numerous Putnam County Volunteer Fire Departments.

A Carmel resident, Dr. Nesheiwat and his wife of 22 years, Heyam, are the parents of daughter Sara and son Michael.