MAYVILLE, N.Y. – The Chautauqua County Health Department (CCHD) noted in a press release last week that Dr. Robert Berke served as the county’s longest standing Health Commissioner, a remarkable 26 years. Today we celebrate Dr. Berke as we continue to highlight the history of the CCHD.
A native of Canada and Harvard School of Public Health graduate, Berke and his family relocated to Chautauqua County in 1981. He became Chautauqua County Public Health Commissioner in 1982 serving on a half-time basis.
“As Public Health Commissioner, I made a commitment to protect and improve the health of our community,” states Dr. Berke. “Over the years, I am proud to have worked with countless public health professionals at the Chautauqua County Health Department and many community agencies with similar goals and values. Together, we made positive strides to protect and improve health outcomes through communicable disease investigations, family planning, improving public water infrastructure, and so much more. I am pleased to see that legacy lives on with the current workforce.”
“I applaud Dr. Berke for his commitment to prevent disease, promote healthy lifestyles and protect the health and wellness of all county residents and visitors,” states County Executive Paul M. Wendel Jr. “He has proved to be a true asset to the community through his work at the Health Department and his many other endeavors in the county.”
Over the course of his 26 years of service, Berke led the CCHD through many noteworthy public health events and milestones including outbreaks, emergencies, policy, and programming changes. Some highlights are a 27% reduction in teen pregnancy rates upon implementing health education in schools; the passage of the referendum in the South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer Districts; a prenatal clinic to provide care to Medicaid patients unable to find care due to, at the time, extremely low reimbursement rates for services; managing the 1997 Nushawn Williams HIV outbreak; and the adoption of a local law banning smoking from indoor areas open to the public. Other notables include increased rabies prevention efforts and the first substantial grant ($2.7M) to address lead paint abatement in homes.
Lacey Wilson, Chautauqua County’s Public Health Director states, “Dr. Berke’s legacy is built on excellence and forward-thinking approaches to improving the public’s health. That legacy echoes in the work we do today and has been an inspiration to me as I have stepped in to the role of Public Health Director. His dedication to our community is evident in his willingness to continue to serve alongside us. I truly consider it an honor and my pleasure to work with and learn from a public health practitioner of his standing.”
Berke received both State and National awards for his public health work. In 1997, Dr. Berke was chosen as Citizen of the Year by the Buffalo News, and in 1998 the NYS Association of County Health Officials named him New York State Public Health Professional of the Year. In 2000, Dr. Berke participated in the CDC Public Health Leadership Institute as one of only 62 public health officials chosen nationwide for this yearlong training process.
Prior to relocating to the U.S. in 1981, Berke served for three years in Cameroon West Africa as a Public Health Officer for North West Province of Cameroon (pop. 1 million) and seven years in Canada as a physician in many capacities. Since then, and in addition to his time served as Chautauqua County’s Public Health Commissioner, Berke served as Medical Director for Absolute Care, Lutheran Social Services, and The Resource Center. In ‘82 Berke became a Family Practitioner at Family Health Services (Mayville/Westfield) where he continues to serve today, 43 years later. Additionally, he continues work with the CCHD as County Physician on a part time basis.
(Robert Berke, Lake Placid Ironman)
His work experience alone has proven Berke to be driven toward success. Amidst work and raising a family with his loving and supportive wife of 49 years, he still found ways to live out his proclamation to be healthy. Berke has completed 21-55km ski marathons, five full (running) marathons, and six ironman competitions. Berke merged his love for outdoor activities and passion to improve the health of others by founding the Big Fish Triathlon. The event, in its 12th season, is held annually each June in Mayville and consists of both sprint and Olympic distance triathlon challenges. All proceeds of the triathlon benefit YMCA Camp Onyahsa programs, campers, and growth of camp.
Wendel continues “Thank you, Dr. Berke, for your extraordinary service and commitment to the Health Department and to Chautauqua County!”
The CCHD will provide one more article on the history of public health later this week to highlight the more recent achievements that have occurred in the county.
About Chautauqua County Health Department - The Chautauqua County Health Department is the leading Public Health organization in Chautauqua County dedicated to the support of the community’s health. The Health Department takes innovative approaches to provide technical assistance to partner organizations, and offers various programs and services in order to help prevent disease, protect the public’s health and promote our community’s overall health and wellness. For more information visit www.HealthyCHQ.com.
References: 1981-2007 Journal of Proceedings of the Chautauqua County Legislature; 1981-2007 Annual Reports of the Chautauqua County Health Department
