NEW: Chafee Names Permanent Health Director

NEW: Chafee Names Permanent Health Director

Governor Lincoln Chafee announced today that he is recommending that Dr. Michael Fine serve as the director of the Department of Health—a position he has held on an interim basis for several months.

“Dr. Fine brings to this position more than 25 years of experience as a primary care physician, and has been a strong advocate for healthcare reform and for underserved populations,” Chafee said. “Dr. Fine is recognized at a national level for his research on healthcare delivery systems. As the Department of Health enters into a new era of integrating healthcare and public health, Dr. Fine’s background and experience will be of tremendous value to the state.”

Fine stepped into the role in February when Dr. David Gifford resigned the position.

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“In the short time that I have been serving as Interim Director of Health, I have come to realize that one of the Department’s greatest strengths is the dedicated staff that works there,” said Fine. “It will be a privilege to continue to work with this team of professionals to strengthen and streamline Rhode Island’s healthcare delivery system.”

Steven Costantino, Secretary of Health and Human Services, also issued a statement saying that Fine had proven he has the “skills, experience, and expertise required to perform this job with excellence.”

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