Press Release

Release: County Announces Sara Boerenko To Serve As Public Health Director

Boerenko Brings Critical Social Welfare Knowledge, Leadership To Public Health Post

FONDA - County Executive Matthew L. Ossenfort announced on Friday that Sara Boerenko, LCSW, will serve as the county's new Director of Public Health. Boerenko brings extensive experience working in the community and critical social welfare knowledge to her new position. She has been with the county since 2015, previously serving as the county's Director of Mental Hygiene Services.

"Sara is someone who is passionate about healthcare and providing assistance for our residents and I believe she will make a great impact on the department," Ossenfort said. "Sara has proven herself as a leader, someone who is dedicated to working hard and I believe she is the perfect fit as our new Director of Public Health."

Boerenko started as the county's Director of Mental Hygiene Services in November 2015. In that time, she has overseen and maintained Mental Hygiene law for Montgomery County, as directed by the state of New York. She has also worked tirelessly to build and cultivate relationships with school districts, state agencies and other county departments to help foster and develop population wellness. Boerenko is also bilingual, speaking Spanish, which helps to serve more residents in Montgomery County.

"I am truly honored that the County Executive has given me the opportunity to further serve Montgomery County in this capacity," Boerenko said. "The collaboration between Mental Health and Public Health makes so much sense on a number of different levels. This is an exciting and challenging time to be involved in the healthcare field."

Boerenko joined the county following seven years working as a Bi-Lingual Psychiatric Social Worker at St. Mary's Hospital, in Amsterdam. At St. Mary's Boerenko, served as a Clinician working the Mental Health Adult Clinic as well as an evaluator in the Emergency Department. During that time, Boerenko worked with then Director of Community Services, Jim Gumaer, on a number of county projects such as assisting hearing-impaired patients, in addition to many other responsibilities.

Boerenko is a graduate of Marist College and received her Master's in Social Work and Certification in Public Health from the University at Albany. She was previously employed at the Family Counseling Center, in Gloversville, and Centro Civico, in Amsterdam.