The Southborough Board of Health announced Dec. 23 that Taylor West, the town's public health director and public health nurse, received the Sandra Collins Public Health Nursing Award from the Massachusetts Health Officers Association (MHOA).

Board members read an MHOA memo highlighting West's record on communicable-disease investigations, efforts to ensure equitable access to vaccinations, innovative programming to address emerging health concerns, and leadership across regional and state public-health committees. The award recognizes a public health nurse who has "demonstrated exceptional dedication in carrying out the public health mandates of a regional or local municipal agency," according to the memo read to the board.

Board members praised West's service and thanked her for her leadership; West thanked the board. The recognition was presented at MHOA's annual conference in Springfield, Massachusetts, earlier in November.