Established by the Suffolk County Charter, the Board of Health consists of seven members, of whom at least three must be physicians licensed to practice medicine in the State of New York, one is the Chairman of the Health Committee of the County Legislature and one is the Commissioner of Health Services. The Commissioner of Health Services serves as Chairman of the Board of Health. The members of the Board of Health must be residents of Suffolk County. The members, with the exception of the Commissioner of Health Services and the Chairman of the Health Committee of the Suffolk County Legislature, are appointed by the County Legislature for terms of six years and are volunteers. The Board of Health, subject to the provisions of the Public Health Law and State Sanitary Code, has the power to adopt, promulgate, amend or repeal rules and regulations affecting public health in the County. The Board of Health, at the request of the Commissioner of Health Services, can consider any matter relating to the preservation and improvement of public health. The Board of Health has no executive, administrative or appointive duties except as otherwise provided in Part I of the Suffolk County Charter, Article IX, § C9-4.

Generally, Board of Health meetings are scheduled for the third Wednesday of each month. Meetings are open to the public and are posted on our website. Members of the public who plan to attend a meeting of the Board of Health are advised to call the Department of Health Services at 631-854-0100 before attending to ensure that the meeting is expected to take place, as Suffolk County law states that a majority of Board members must be present in order for a meeting to proceed.

More information on the structure and purpose of the Board of Health may be found in Part I of the Suffolk County Charter, Article IX, § C9-4.

Voting Members

Gregson H. Pigott, MD, MPH, Chair

J. Ronald Gaudreault, MA, LFACHE, Vice President

Legislator Leslie Kennedy, RN

Christine M. Doucet, MD

Patricia Bishop-Kelly

Stephen L. Dewey, PhD

Erin E. McGintee, MD

Please email us at boardofhealth@suffolkcountyny.gov, if you have any questions.

Meetings

Board of Health meetings are ordinarily scheduled for the third Wednesday of each month. In the event a quorum cannot be achieved, a Board of Health meeting may be cancelled. It is advisable to call 631 854 0100 on the day of the meeting to find out if the meeting is expected to take place. All meetings will be held at the Suffolk County Department of Health Services' Board Room at 3500 Sunrise Highway, Suite 124, Great River, NY 11739-9006, unless otherwise posted. For directions, please call the number above. Directions with photos