Baltimore City Mayor Catherine E. Pugh today announced the appointment of Dr. Letitia Dzirasa as Health Commissioner for the Baltimore City Health Department, effective March 11, 2019.

According to a press release:

Dr. Dzirasa holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and a Doctorate of Medicine from Meharry Medical College. Upon earning her Doctorate, Dr. Dzirasa served as a resident physician at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, here in Baltimore. After completing her residency, she served as a general pediatrician at a primary care practice. Over the next few years, Dr. Dzirasa held various leadership positions at Baltimore Medical System, a community-based non-profit that provides health care and wrap around services to clients. She served at points as the Medical Director of Quality, and Medical Director of School-Based Health, where she provided clinical leadership to a program that includes seven school-based health centers in Baltimore City serving a patient population of more than 2,500 students. Most recently, Dr. Dzirasa served as Health Innovation Officer for Fearless Solutions where she led and provided the vision for their healthcare information technology practice, served as their business development team lead, and acted as the healthcare information technology account manager.

“We are fortunate to have attracted a candidate of Dr. Dzirasa’s caliber and broad experience to advance our agenda to improve the health prospects of all Baltimore residents,” said Mayor Catherine E. Pugh. “She will bring a commitment to reducing youth violence through evidence-based approaches, as well working to eliminate health disparities that persist, even while building on our progress to address the opioid epidemic and further improve access to critical care. We congratulate Dr. Dzirasa and assure her of our support as she takes up this vital role on behalf of Baltimore residents.”

Read the full press release for more information.