2007 Healthcare Hero
Judy Watson
Advocate/Educator

Judy Watson has left the Oswego County Health Department a better place.
Watson, the former director of patient services for the Oswego County Health Department, is the winner in the Advocate/Educator category of the annual "Healthcare Heroes" award competition.

Kathleen Smith, director of public health for the county Health Department, said Watson is "dedicated to providing the highest quality care in all programs."

Watson has directed preventive services, hospice care and been a key participant in the department's emergency preparedness plan.

Watson retired on March 30 after 34 years with the county.
The Oswego native holds a master's degree in health administration.

"My home care agency is among the top 25 providers of home care in the country," Watson said when pointing to some of her more significant accomplishments.
Meanwhile, Outcome Concept Systems, the leading post-acute healthcare information company, has rated Watson's certified and long-term care program No. 1 in the county in preventing readmission to a hospital.

Watson has indeed gone above and beyond the call of duty to enhance the quality of healthcare in Oswego County.

In 1983, the health department was given the task of bringing together all the EMS providers in the county. "I was the first EMS coordinator for the health department," Watson said. "I formed the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council, which still remains in operation today."
In addition, Watson developed and implemented a curriculum for teaching high school girls how to perform breast self-exams.