Ulster County Leaders Honored at Statewide Public Health Conference
Published on April 30, 2026
Dr. Eve Walter and Tim Rose Receive Top Awards for Public Health Leadership at State Conference in Lake Placid
KINGSTON, NY - Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger announced today that two Ulster County public health leaders — Dr. Eve Walter and Tim Rose, P.E. — were honored with statewide awards at the 2026 New York State Public Health Partnership Conference, held April 22–24 at the Olympic Conference Center in Lake Placid. More than 600 public health professionals from across New York State attended the annual event.
Dr. Walter, Ulster County’s Public Health Director, received the Outstanding Contribution for Public Health Service Award, which recognizes an individual or organization for innovative and impactful public health service in New York State. She was nominated for her innovative use of data to advance public health initiatives, including the development of the County’s 2025 Community Health Assessment (CHA) — the first CHA in New York State to be presented in a fully interactive ArcGIS StoryMap format.
The new CHA introduces unprecedented transparency and accessibility in public health data, including detailed, up‑to‑date, zip‑code‑level health indicators. This approach allows Ulster County to identify health disparities at the neighborhood level and target resources to the communities that need them most. Dr. Walter presented the CHA methodology during the conference’s opening plenary keynote.
Tim Rose, Director of Environmental Health Services at the Ulster County Department of Health, received the Environmental Health Leadership Award, which honors individuals who have made longstanding, meaningful contributions to environmental public health in New York State. He was nominated for his dedication to protecting public safety and for his collaborative approach to addressing issues ranging from water quality and wastewater management to food safety and environmental hazards.
“Ulster County is incredibly fortunate to have leaders like Dr. Eve Walter and Tim Rose working to protect public and environmental health in our communities every day. Eve’s innovative work on the Community Health Assessment has set a new standard for transparency and equity in public health, and I’m certain this model will be adopted by other counties across New York,” said County Executive Metzger. “Tim’s recognition is equally well‑deserved. His steady leadership in environmental health, from water quality to food safety to environmental hazard mitigation, has made Ulster County a healthier and safer place to live. Tim is one of our quiet public health heroes, and we are deeply grateful for his expertise and dedication. I could not be more proud of Eve and Tim for this statewide recognition. Their work embodies the very best of public service.”
“I’m honored to receive this recognition from my peers,” said Dr. Eve Walter. “Since stepping into the role of Public Health Director, I’ve worked to ensure Ulster County leads with innovation, transparency, and a forward‑thinking approach to public health — and I’m proud that our work is being recognized statewide. This progress is only possible because of our outstanding team, whose dedication and creativity drive everything we do to better serve our communities.”
“I’m thankful to be recognized for the many decades I’ve dedicated to environmental public health,” said Tim Rose, Director of Environmental Health Services. “Over the years, I’ve seen how meaningful this work is in protecting and improving people’s lives. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished in Ulster County, and I’m grateful to be part of a team that’s committed every day to ensuring our residents have a safe and healthy environment.”
Now in its 76th year, the NYS Public Health Partnership Conference brings together public health educators, academics, county health officials, practitioners, and community organizations. This year’s theme, “Advancing Health Equity Together Through Innovation and Communication,” highlighted the critical role that data, partnership, and community engagement play in strengthening public health systems.