2024 North Country Community Health Heroes Announced

Watertown, NY, September 25, 2024 –Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO) and North Country Health Compass Partners are pleased to announce the 2024 Community Health Hero Award recipients.

One Health Hero was chosen in each of Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties who have exhibited a deep sense of dedication, compassion, and selflessness in their efforts to address health-related issues and challenges that affect our local communities. Their contributions have led to positive and lasting impacts on the health of those they serve. 

The 2024 recipients of the Community Health Hero Award are:

• Jefferson County – Monica Behan Purcell, Founder and CEO, Compassionate Cancer Care Foundation

• Lewis County – Krisha Greene, Library Media Specialist, Wellness Team Captain, and Mindfulness Coordinator, Pulaski Central School

• St. Lawrence County – Martha Pickard Palmer, Dietitian, St. Lawrence Health, and Board Member, GardenShare

The Community Health Hero Award – given in honor of National Rural Health Day (November 21, 2024) – recognizes North Country residents who have demonstrated outstanding public service and a commitment to improving the health and wellness of their community. Nominations were accepted from community members and recipients were chosen by the North Country Health Compass partners. 

This year’s guest speaker will be Kylie Schell, Founder and Executive Director of Encompass Recreation, and recipients will be honored by FDRPHO and North Country Health Compass partners. 

An awards luncheon will be held on November 7 at the Hilton Garden Inn Watertown/1000 Islands from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets to attend the luncheon are $15 and registration is required. 

To register for the event visit www.fdrhpo.org. 

For more about National Rural Health Day, visit https://nosorh.org/nrhd/.