Louisville City Wire

Mayor Craig Greenberg today appointed new interim leadership for the Department of Public Health and Wellness. Connie Mendel, senior deputy director for the department, will serve as interim Chief Health Strategist. She replaces Dr. Jeff Howard whose term ends May 31.

Mendel has devoted her career to public service beginning in 1997 when she joined the Jefferson County Health Department as an environmental health specialist in the Hazardous Materials Emergency Response, Food Safety, and Mosquito Control programs. She steadily ascended the ranks and prior to her appointment by Mayor Greenberg served as Senior Deputy Director where she led the department’s COVID-19 response, administrative and finance operations, regulatory operations and enforcement, emergency planning and preparedness, and the Public Health Laboratory. She has a Bachelor of Science from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Public Health from the University of Louisville.

“Our entire community thanks Dr. Jeff Howard for managing the vital work of our Department of Health and Wellness. We appreciate his service and know that our city is stronger and healthier for it” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. “Few people know the Department of Health and Wellness better than our new Interim Director, Connie Mendel, and I am sure she will do a magnificent job in her new leadership role.”

Dr. Inder Singal, an ophthalmologist with Bennett and Bloom Eye Center, has been appointed to serve as the interim medical director. Previously, Dr Jeff Howard served as the department’s interim director and medical director. Singal will serve as clinical and medical advisor to the department.

“I have known and respected Dr. Singal for many years and have been proud to call him a friend, I’m even prouder to call him a colleague and welcome him to the Metro Government team,” said Mayor Greenberg. “Dr. Singal, who has had an incredible career with his medical practice, has chosen a path of continued public service with Metro Government and our entire community will benefit. Both his medical expertise and leadership will serve our community well and we thank him for his dedication and commitment to Louisville.”

Mayor Greenberg also announced Dr. Kris Bryant as the associate medical director for the department. Dr. Bryant, a pediatric infection disease specialist with Norton Children’s, will work with the existing Medical Director and Special Healthcare Projects Manager on coordination with the healthcare system, optimization of clinical services, and dissemination of public health guidance and updates as well as dissemination of information to the public.

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) is a nationally accredited, independent, academic health department committed to achieving health equity and improving the health and well-being of all Louisville residents and visitors.  More information can be found on the website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Original source can be found here.