For Immediate Release: January 3, 2019
Media Contact:
Ben Truman
Vermont Department of Health
802-951-5153 / 802-863-7281
Health Department Welcomes Kelly Dougherty as the next Deputy Commissioner for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs
BURLINGTON – Commissioner of Health Mark Levine, MD announced the appointment of Kelly Dougherty to be the next deputy commissioner for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs at the Vermont Department of Health. Dougherty will begin in her new position on February 18, 2019. She fills the position vacancy left by the retirement of former Deputy Commissioner Barbara Cimaglio.
Kelly Dougherty has extensive experience in the public health, health care and social service fields. For the past four years, Dougherty has served as executive director for Steps to End Domestic Violence, a prevention and advocacy organization dedicated to helping those who have experienced domestic violence achieve safety and independence. She previously worked at the Health Department in local health capacities and as public health programs administrator with the Blueprint for Health.
“I am very pleased to have Kelly return to the Health Department,” said Dr. Levine. “She has tremendous experience and a passion for public health. Kelly brings the leadership expertise, strategic planning skills and a collaborative, team building style to successfully address substance misuse and other aspects of our public health mission. Her prior successes in the public and private sectors have demonstrated she has the ability to help us build upon and further expand our efforts for reducing substance use disorders in Vermont.”
"I am eager to join the Health Department in its work to strengthen prevention efforts and to ensure that every Vermonter has access to effective treatment and recovery services,” said Dougherty. “The department’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs team does incredible work. I look forward to working with them and our stakeholders statewide on behalf of all Vermonters."
Dougherty has a Master of Science in Public Health and a Master in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh, along with a B.A. in Psychology from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Prior to her tenure with Steps to End Domestic Violence, Dougherty worked for several years at the Department of Health, served as a project director for the Navigator Program at Vermont Health Connect and was Burlington site manager for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England.
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