- By Alice Cole, RN, MSE
- Around Town
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Ms. Carol Mohler was selected for the Honor Roll because of her dedication to the field of public health and her coordination of the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program in Tompkins County.
Ms. Mohler was one of 71 outstanding public health employees from the State's local health departments who were inducted into the 2008 Public Health Works! Honor Roll. At the New York State Association of County Health Officials' annual public health conference on April 30th in Cooperstown, Commissioner Richard F. Daines, MD, presented certificates to a number of honorees. Thirty-two county health departments nominated a total of 71 individuals, either a single employee or teams of employees, for their outstanding work in the field of public health.
The Public Health Works! Honor Roll salutes outstanding public health employees nominated from local departments for exceptional work in promoting and protecting the health of New Yorkers. The Honor Roll was established by the New York State Department of Health in 2007 to highlight the key role public health workers play in protecting and promoting the health of New Yorkers, and to encourage others to join their ranks. The Public Health Works! Honor Roll also serves to raise awareness among New Yorkers of the essential services that public health workers and the public health system provide.
"I am pleased to recognize outstanding members of our local public health workforce and their essential role in efforts to make New York the healthiest state in the nation," said Commissioner Daines. "We want young people to understand the important work these public health professionals accomplish, and consider careers in public health. If you enjoy science and math, like to work outside, want a job with a variety of activities and appreciate helping others, public health could be the field for you."
NYSACHO Executive director JoAnn Bennison said, "Local public health leaders are grateful for the opportunity to recognize the work of their front-line staff who are truly dedicated to serving the citizens of New York State."
NYSACHO is a statewide association representing all 58 local health departments in New York State. For more information on Public Health Week and public health careers, please visit Public Health Works! On the Department's web site at: http://www.nyhealth.gov/prevention/public_health>works/
A nursing Team Leader for over 16 years, Ms. Mohler is responsible for communicable disease case surveillance, maternal child case management, and is the coordinator for the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.
In 1997, Ms. Mohler created the Lead Poisoning Prevention Network (LPPN), a model workgroup of public health, building, and housing professionals. Through her leadership, the LPPN effectively amended the local Article 9 Sanitary Code to include Exterior Paint Removal Guidelines.
Her many career achievements include: assisting Cortland County in vaccinating residents during a meningitis outbreak; providing expertise during meningitis, suspect SARS, cryptosporidia, pertussis and mumps outbreaks; giving up a summer weekend to prepare letters during a pertussis outbreak; and assuring the safe storage of vaccine during power outages.
Ms. Mohler has been a key player in several joint CDC and New York State Department of Health investigations including the privilege of swabbing the rear- end of a pet iguana, to identify and confirm the Salmonella culprit and visiting a cow barn to assure veterinary students that washing hands and wearing gloves wouldn't harm their tough image.
Ms. Mohler administers rabies vaccinations; acts as Charge Nurse for childhood and adult immunization and seasonal flu clinics; serves as an administrator on- call; and makes home visits to high-risk maternal-child clients.
Director of Patient Services, Sigrid Connors notes "Carol is the very definition of grace, dedication, integrity, and professionalism." Carol's supervisor, Karen Bishop, remarked that Carol is a role model and mentor to staff and students. And, physicians frequently call for her expertise. She is a skilled nurse leader, a dedicated public health worker, and a joy to work with.