Governor McKee Names New Acting Director of Health
Thursday, June 23, 2022
Governor Dan McKee announced on Thursday a new acting director of the RI Department of Health. This is the third person to serve in the post during his 16-month administration.
Utpala Bandy, MD, MPH is the latest to hold the post.
“Dr. Bandy has vast experience as a public health leader and infectious disease epidemiologist in Rhode Island. She has been at the center of our state’s COVID-19 response and dozens of other major public health initiatives over the last three decades,” said McKee. “In addition to her work in infectious disease, she has extensive knowledge of preventive services and health promotion. Her steady hand will be critical as we continue getting as many Rhode Islanders vaccinated against COVID-19 as possible, and as we try to make Rhode Island the healthiest place in the country to live, work, and play.”
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“Rhode Island has one of the best public health workforces in the country, thanks to the talented professionals at RIDOH and the community partnerships that we have developed over the years,” said Dr. Bandy. “I look forward to partnering with Governor McKee and his team to support the crucial work happening throughout the Department to promote healthy living in every community throughout the state.”
She completed a pediatric residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. She holds a Master of Public Health degree from the Harvard University School of Public Health. She joined RIDOH in 1993 as Rhode Island’s State Epidemiologist and the Medical Director for the division that oversaw RIDOH’s infectious disease prevention and control work. She became the Director of RIDOH’s Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology in 2012.
Dr. Bandy will assume the role of Interim Director on Sunday, June 26. Dr. McDonald’s last day of state service will be July 29.
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