2026 North Country Community Health Hero Awards Honor Dedicated North Country Professionals

Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO) and North Country Health Compass Partners are pleased to announce the 2026 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 2026 recipients of the Community Health Hero Award are:

• Jefferson County – Eric Anderson, (Retired) Operations Coordinator, Henderson Fire Department, Inc., and Ambulance Squad. 

• Lewis County – Marcia Ashline, Supervising Public Health Nurse, Lewis County Public Health.

• St. Lawrence County – Melissa Planty, Community Health Worker, Northern Regional Center for Independent Living (NRCIL). 

  
  

Presented in honor of National Rural Health Day (November 19, 2026), the Community Health Hero Award recognizes North Country residents who demonstrate exceptional public service and a commitment to improving community health and wellness. Community members submitted nominations, and the North Country Health Compass partners selected the recipients.

“Each year, Health Hero nominations highlight the extraordinary people making a difference in our communities. We are honored to recognize this year’s exceptionally dedicated, compassionate, and inspiring awardees,” said Pat Fontana, Deputy Director for FDRHPO.  

This year’s guest speaker will be Richard Merchant, CEO for four nonprofit organizations: Northern Area Health Education Center in Canton, Central New York Area Health Education Center in Syracuse, Brooklyn Queens Long Island Area Health Education Center in Brooklyn, New York, and Health WorkForce New York with its administrative offices in Canton.

An awards luncheon will be held on November 18 at the Hilton Garden Inn Watertown/1000 Islands from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets to attend the luncheon are $20, and registration is required. This event is open to the public.

To register for the event, visit https://shorturl.at/lQIuO. 

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

For more information about the 2026 North Country Community Health Hero Awards, contact Holly Boname, Communications Coordinator at FDRHPO, by emailing hboname@fdrhpo.org.