Governor Dan McKee recently announced the appointment of a new acting director at the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH). This change comes as Dr. Utpala Bandy prepares to retire on March 29th. The Governor expressed his gratitude for Bandy’s leadership and service to the people of Rhode Island.

Since Governor McKee took office in 2021, there have been changes in leadership at RIDOH. Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott resigned, followed by Dr. James McDonald serving as acting director, and now Bandy. Fischer, who currently serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline, will step into the role of acting director.

Fischer has been with RIDOH since 2023 and previously spent 15 years practicing at Rhode Island Hospital. Her experience includes overseeing the training of medical residents and fellows at Lifespan, serving as the Director of Graduate Medical Education, and leading the Infectious Disease Fellowship Program at Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University.

Fischer is also board-certified in infectious diseases and has held positions with the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education. Overall, this appointment signals a continued commitment to public health and leadership within RIDOH under the guidance of Governor Dan McKee.

The final stages of hiring a permanent RIDOH director are underway as Dr. Staci Fischer takes on her new role as acting director.