Dr. Lillian Vitanza Ney is pictured.

MAYVILLE — The Chautauqua County Board of Health and County Executive PJ Wendel have recognized Dr. Lillian Vitanza Ney for her years of service in the professional medical field and volunteer sector including her nearly ten years of service to the Chautauqua County Board of Health.

“Dr. Ney has served Chautauqua County in countless facets over her career and we wanted to publicly share how grateful we are for the technical expertise she has provided and vocational excellence with which she has operated,” Wendel said in a news release.

Ney is a retired cardiologist and former medical director and vice president of WCA Hospital. She also was the coordinator of Jamestown Area Medical Association, and was an interim acting medical director of Heritage Park Health Care Center. She also stepped in to serve a short term as acting county health commissioner for the Chautauqua County Health Department in 1975.

Ney was appointed to the Board of Health in 2014 and served as president in 2022-2023. During her tenure, she supported the board’s purpose to promulgate, adopt, and publish rules, regulations, orders and directives for the security of life and health in Chautauqua County. Notably on May 17, 2016, Chautauqua County became the first county in New York state to increase the legal age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21, more than three years before New York state implemented the statewide Tobacco 21 Law.

“The Chautauqua County Tobacco 21 Law would not have been voted in by the Legislature without the support of the Board of Health,” said Dr. Robert Berke, former county health commissioner and current county physician. “I am proud to have had many opportunities to work with Dr. Ney over the years. She has been known to go above and beyond, devoting her time, energy, and resources to lend a hand where needed.”

In addition to serving on the Board of Health, Ney has been active on many boards and commissions within the community including the Chautauqua County Government’s County Charter and Administrative Code Review Commission, Jamestown Community College Board of Trustees, the Gebbie Foundation, Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, Jamestown City Center Development Corporation, James Prendergast Library Association, Chautauqua Institution, American Heart Association, Family Services of Jamestown, Jamestown City Council serving a term as President, and Co-chair of Strategic Planning Commission, City of Jamestown Health Care Action Team, Reg Lenna Civic Center, and Roger Tory Peterson Institute. She continues to work with the Healthy Housing Coalition, Mental Health Association of Chautauqua County, Chautauqua Health Network’s Physician’s Leadership Group, and Strong Starts Chautauqua.

“It is clear Dr. Ney serves as a lifelong advocate, dedicated to improving health outcomes in Chautauqua County,” said Dr. Michael Faulk, Chautauqua County’s chief medical officer. “The county is fortunate to have such a passionate individual who has truly functioned as a role model and mentor for both medical professionals and volunteers alike.”

A Jamestown native, Ney is one of three daughters who were born to Peter and Josephine Vitanza. Her father was a Jamestown physician who instilled the love of community into his family. She married Robert Ney, a physician who specialized in allergy, and they raised their daughters Aubin and Alison here in Jamestown with similar values.

“My time with the Health Department has been very important to me in several ways,” Ney said. “And I’m proud to have worked with the staff, who are a tribute to health care and Chautauqua County. I will never forget their dedication, commitment and very hard work especially during the pandemic.”

Ney’s honors and awards include the Buffalo Business First Women of Influence Award, Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year Award, New York State Women of Distinction Award, Jamestown Community College Foundation John D. Hamilton Award.