MAYVILLE — Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel and the COVID-19 Response Team recently announced the eighth week of COVID-19 Hero nominations for March 29 – April 1.

Nominations are recognized in a video posted weekdays on the Chautauqua County Government Facebook page, and each nominee receives a personal note from the county executive’s office.

“This week marks another slate of incredible individuals doing great work in our community,” said County Executive PJ Wendel. “I want to again personally thank our week eight nominees: Daniel Ernst, Chautauqua County Child Welfare Workers, Louis Polichetti, Brooks Family Health Medical Services Hospitalists, JoAnn Kopta, Brooks Clinical Laboratory Staff, Nicole Abbey, and Alstar EMS. These individuals have risen to the challenge of helping others during a global pandemic, and are truly our COVID-19 Heroes.”

Daniel Ernst has worked throughout the pandemic as a paid EMT and also volunteers to serve the community in his spare time. He has the heart to keep giving back and has done a great job during these challenging times.

Chautauqua County child welfare workers have continued their work without stopping to continue serving the needs of children and families. Despite the challenges of a pandemic, they put the health and safety of our county’s children over their own to conduct home visits, face to face, and anything else that was needed.

Lou Polichetti works as a sanitation technician at the City of Dunkirk and has worked throughout the entire pandemic. He holds city hall and the police department to the highest standards to keep everyone healthy. Lou takes pride in making the employees’ safety and wellbeing a priority, and brightens people’s day with a simple “hello” as they walk by. He is always there to lend a hand when people need help, and goes above and beyond what is asked of him.

The hospitalists for family health medical services at Brooks Memorial Hospital are well poised to serve in key leadership roles in frontline care in particular when facing a pandemic such as the COVID-19 infection. Hospitalists have been at the forefront of the COVID-19 response, helping to lead frontline work, orchestrating complex and dynamic clinical operational plans, and partnering with clinicians and leaders from many different specialties. FHMS Hospitalists are dedicated professionals on-site all day and night, 7 days a week providing care for our community.

JoAnn Kopta works at Sherman Central School and was nominated because she is a hero to all in the school and community. JoAnn is a superstar nurse who takes care of everyone at school as if they are her own very large family. She is a resource for many, willing to answer any question and the school would be lost without her. Thank you JoAnn for your commitment to the health and wellbeing of the Sherman Central School community.

The clinical laboratory technologists and ancillary lab staff at Brooks Memorial Hospital work behind the scenes to provide the much-needed information the clinicians require to diagnose and treat patients. Their role has been critical to providing the right care throughout the pandemic.

Nicole Abbey works at Lutheran Jamestown and has been working throughout the entire pandemic, except for the 14 days when she was placed into quarantine. Like clockwork, Nicole was back to work as soon as she was able. She is a hard worker who does a great job.

The team at Alstar EMS is an important member of the medical community. Their EMTs and Paramedics are on the frontlines and are always there when our community needs them.

Nominations closed on March 31. Individuals will continue to be recognized in the coming weeks until all submissions have been named. To view COVID-19 Heroes videos, visit www.facebook.com/ChautauquaCountyGovernment