County Delegates Elect Cattaraugus County’s Dr. Kevin Watkins as Second Vice President

County leaders from across the state last week elected Cattaraugus County Public Health Director Dr. Kevin Watkins to serve as 2nd Vice President for the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC). The election was held at NYSAC’s Fall Seminar conference in Oneida County.

Dr. Watkins has been Cattaraugus County public health director since November 2009 and in 2020 served as president of the New York State Association of County Health Officials. As 2nd Vice President, Dr. Watkins is part of NYSAC’s leadership succession track and will serve as president beginning in September 2026.

“As a NYSAC board member, Dr. Watkins played an integral role in helping county leaders work with public health directors from across the state during the COVID pandemic and demonstrated how critical the public health response function is for counties across the state. We are honored to have Dr. Watkins in the NYSAC leadership succession,” said NYSAC President Dan McCoy, the Albany County Executive.

Dr. Watkins previously served as a primary care physician, research scientist, public health physician and director of a faith and health outreach association. He serves as a local health department representative on the New York State Public Health and Health Planning Council.

Watkins is also a board member for several organizations, including the Western New York Public Health Alliance, the Southern Tier Health Care System Inc., Universal Primary Care, Cattaraugus Community Action, Healthy Community Alliance, and the Western New York Physicians Leadership Team.

He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from The University of Illinois and received his medical degree from the Chicago Medical School.

Organized in 1925, NYSAC is the only statewide municipal association representing the interests of thousands of county leaders, including legislators, supervisors, county executives, administrators, commissioners, and other county officials from all 57 counties and the City of New York.

NYSAC is a bipartisan organization and represents counties before federal and state officials and works to inform county officials through conferences, workshops, reports, and extensive communication.

"We are honored to have Dr. Watkins in this leadership role. His guidance and perspective as second vice president will be a valuable asset to the Association as we continue to address the critical public health issues facing counties across the state," said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen Acquario.

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Media Contact: Mark LaVigne | MLavigne@nysac.org | 518-465-1473 x206