New pg 3 2-11-10
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The new director of health for the Northeast District Department of Health (NDDH), Susan Starkey, began work in earnest Feb. 8 and looks forward to leading the department into the future.
Starkey, 48, is an epidemiologist with more than 20 years of experience in health care and public health, much of it working in a senior level management capacity in local health departments in Connecticut. She is also a registered dietitian and holds a master's degree in nutrition from Boston University, and a master's of public health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Starkey said, “NDDH has a long history of providing public health services that prevent illness, promote wellness, and protect the health of the communities it serves. NDDH has very experienced people and strong programs in place and there are more good things to come.”
Starkey takes over for former NDDH director of health Patricia Beckenhaupt, who received an appointment to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last October. Patrick McCormack, director of health for the Uncas Health Department in Norwich, served as interim director of health since that time.
“We are delighted that Susan has accepted the position of director of health,” said department Board Chairman Jay Sinha, who also headed the search committee. “Susan brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and skills that will complement the mission and important work of NDDH. We are also grateful to Patrick McCormack for his service as our interim director and assisting Susan in a seamless transition.”
The department's Board of Directors Search Committee selected Starkey as the agency’s new director of health recently. Starkey’s selection was approved by Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner J. Robert Galvin on Jan. 25 and was ratified by the full NDDH Board on Jan. 28.