On March 4, County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and members of the Board of Health announced Debra Bogen, M.D. has been selected as the new Director of the Allegheny County Health Department.

“I am thrilled to announce Dr. Debra Bogen as the new Health Department Director,” said Fitzgerald. “We have many challenges ahead of us, but her focus on health equity and addressing those health issues where rates are racially disparate will allow us to continue moving towards a county that works for all. Just as importantly, she is energized and excited to jump into this position and serve our community. We are delighted to have her.”

The search committee, co-chaired by Dr. Edie Shapira, a member of the Board of Health, and Grant Oliphant, CEO of the Heinz Endowments, led this process with the help of search firm, Krauthamer & Associates.

The committee sought a person that could work with and build consensus among various stakeholders, embrace innovation as a way to support public health, prioritize and focus on issues that underscore the department’s mission, and would serve as the public face of the department.

“Despite looking nationally, we finally realized that the best candidate was right here in our own backyard,” said Harrison. “Dr. Bogen has been deeply ingrained in the public health of our community during her long and distinguished career at the University of Pittsburgh. I’m pleased to be here today to help introduce her to the public."

The Vice Chair for Education in the Department of Pediatrics with UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Dr. Bogen earned her medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine and completed post-graduate work at Johns Hopkins University.

She is a Professor of Pediatrics, with secondary appointments in Psychiatry and in Clinical and Translational Science. One of the founders of the Mid-Atlantic Mothers’ Milk Bank, she has been an advocate for issues of maternal and child health.

“During Dr. Bogen’s decades of work in Pittsburgh, she has formed excellent partnerships, including with the Health Department and Human Services,” said Shapira. “These relationships will serve her and the county well as we work with our partners to make strides in improving public health. She is strong, brave, strategic, and delightful and is a welcomed addition to the department.”

County Executive Fitzgerald, Dr. Harrison and Dr. Shapira also expressed gratitude to Interim Director Ronald A. Sugar and the staff of the Health Department for their work during this transition period.

The Board of Health will formally act on Dr. Bogen’s appointment during the Board of Health meeting, after which her appointment and background will be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Health for approval. She is expected to assume the new position on May 4.

The Allegheny County Health Department administers the requirements of the state and federal air pollution control laws in the county, not DEP.

For more information on programs, initiatives, services and upcoming events, visit the Allegheny County Health Department website.

NewsClips:

New Allegheny County Health Director Hears Air Quality Concerns

Allegheny County Selects New Health Department Director

Allegheny County Selects New Health Department Director

[Posted: March 8, 2020]

3/9/2020