Senator Robert W. Singer was recently awarded 2019 Local Board of Health Member of the Year by the New Jersey Local Boards of Health Association (NJLBHA).

The Senator is being recognized for his exceptional volunteer service to public health as a member of a New Jersey local board of health. For the past 37 years Senator Singer has served the residents of Ocean County as a tireless member of the Ocean County Board of Health where he is currently still serving as Vice Chairman.

“For me there is no one more deserving of this award than Senator Singer. I know very few people who are more dedicated and passionate when it comes to the health and welfare of the residents we serve here in Ocean County and, of course, around the state as well,” explains Daniel Regenye, OCHD Public Health Coordinator. ”

Senator Singer has initiated and supported an endless number of crucial programs and services the Ocean County Health Department provided during his close to 4 decades of service. He was a strong proponent for offering dental services to eligible residents at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC). During Hurricane Sandy, Senator Singer supported the emergency response efforts by the health department to ensure important resources were available for the agency. As an animal lover, Senator Singer is a passionate advocate for animal welfare and promoting the agency shelter adoption and volunteer programs.

“There is absolutely no doubt Senator Singer’s experience and leadership helped shape the Ocean County Health Department to what it is today,” says Ocean County Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health. “As freeholder liaison, I’ve witnessed firsthand for years the many ways the Senator – all on his own time – has worked diligently to protect the public’s health and safety. It’s his understanding of the diverse local health issues that has helped him advocate for so many of these issues in the legislature and statewide.”

During his 32 years in the New Jersey State Legislature, Senator Singer has served on the Senate Health Committee and is the senior ranking member of the Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee. One urgent topic Senator Singer is supporting is to regulate the sale of e-cigarettes by currently co-sponsoring Senate Bills. The lung injuries produced by e-cigarettes is a significant issue the Ocean County Health Department made a priority by designing a campaign to spread awareness and increasing education through a variety of platforms.

“The e-cigarette and vaping issue is a perfect example of Senator Singer recognizing early on that this crisis had to be met head on, added Regenye. “He and the rest of our board backed our initiatives and programs and to ensure we had the resources available to follow through.”