Bmore Healthy Blog

Note From The Commissioner: World AIDS Day

Dec 1st, 2017

On Tuesday, the Congressional House Oversight Committee held a Field Hearing at Johns Hopkins Hospital. I was invited to testify on Baltimore City’s work in combatting the opioid epidemic. Other witnesses included Governor Chris Christie (Chair of the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis) and ONDCP Acting Director Richard Baum. Mayor Pugh and Governor Hogan gave remarks as well (the link to the full event is here).

Baltimore has done a lot with limited resources. In my testimony, I discussed Baltimore’s aggressive, three-pillar approach to combatting this epidemic: Save lives with naloxone, expand access to on-demand addiction treatment, and reduce stigma and prevent addiction. I also addressed four things the President’s Commission should have included in their recommendations: Substantial, additional federal funding; health insurance expansion; guaranteed access to treatment for addition; and evidence-based harm reduction practices, including needle exchange programs. Treating addiction as a crime is unscientific, inhumane, and ineffective. In order to save lives, we must also address the stigma surrounding addiction.

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Note From The Commissioner: Giving Thanks

Nov 22nd, 2017

There is much for me to be thankful this year, both at work and at home. This Thanksgiving will be my first celebrating with my newborn son, Eli, now 13-weeks old. He is happy and thriving, and I count my blessings as I celebrate the holiday with him and my family and loved ones.

Last week, I received notice that I have been selected as one of nine “Public Officials of the Year” by Governing Institute, which celebrates public service and public service leaders across the country. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with the dedicated, hardworking staff of the Baltimore City Health Department. The women and men of the Health Department wear many different hats and work under challenging environments as we strive to improve health equity and provide critical services to Baltimoreans every day. Governing recognized the Health Department’s work in addressing the opioid crisis and other pressing public health challenges facing our City. It is a privilege and honor to serve Baltimore under the leadership of Mayor Pugh, and to work towards the health and well-being of our residents with our team and our incredible community partners.

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Public Health Heroes: Environmental Inspection Services extends far beyond restaurant closures

Nov 17th, 2017

Each day the Baltimore City Health Department’s (BCHD) Bureau of Environmental Health, Environmental Inspection Services (EIS) carries out routine inspections at some of Baltimore’s 5,000 food establishments to ensure that health standards are being met and to certify that businesses are doing their best to keep their customers safe from food-borne illnesses. 

Environmental Inspection team

Note From The Commissioner: Open Enrollment

Nov 17th, 2017

Earlier this week, I joined Congressman Elijah Cummings to urge all Marylanders to sign up for health insurance at marylandhealthconnection.gov. Open enrollment ends Dec 15th. Health insurance is about protecting yourself, your family, and all those around you. Congressman Cummings and I know that no one plans to be sick, but having health insurance provides peace of mind. After all, access to health is access to life.

Last weekend, Mayor Pugh led the Mayor’s Run as part of BCHD’s Healthy Baltimore Initiative and Billion Step Challenge. Baltimore City residents and BCHD staff braved the chilly temperatures to run two miles with the Mayor. I want to thank Mayor Pugh for supporting our Billion Step Challenge and for encouraging Baltimoreans to get active.

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Note From The Commissioner: Continuing Our Work

Nov 10th, 2017

I brought a special guest to my official swearing in at City Hall last week – my 11-week-old son, Eli (pictured). I am honored to be sworn-in for a second term, and look forward to continue working with the dedicated staff at BCHD. I want to thank Mayor Pugh for the opportunity to continue serving Baltimore and to protect health and improve well-being for all residents in our City.

Every day, I feel fortunate to have a job I love and to work with people who understand how health is integrally tied to social justice and the future of our communities. Our City has many health challenges, but we must also call attention to the progress that we have made in improving health outcomes.

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Note From The Commissioner: What We Can Do

Nov 3rd, 2017

On Monday, I was honored to join President Bill Clinton to discuss the opioid epidemic. Our conversation centered on what we CAN do to save lives. The problem is complex, but there are solutions that work, including many of our pilots here in Baltimore for blanket prescriptions of naloxone, expanding treatment access, and fighting stigma. Thanks to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health for hosting the day and to our other tremendous leaders who were there including Baltimore's own Representative Elijah E. Cummings!

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Note From The Commissioner: Celebrating B'more for Healthy Babies

Oct 27th, 2017

This week was my first full week back. Nine weeks ago, my husband and I welcomed our son, Eli, into the world. These weeks have been the happiest of my life, but they have also been among the most challenging. I wrote about my experience being a new mother, and how raising a newborn gave me even more passion for our work to provide resources and support, and to serve the most vulnerable.

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Public Health Heroes: Lead Poisoning Prevention Team

Oct 13th, 2017

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week begins October 22, but for BCHD’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) Team, the call to action comes every day of the year. Although preventable, lead poisoning and exposure remains a serious problem for Baltimore City residents. 

Lead Poisioning
CLPPP Team

BCHD Interns Discuss Zika Virus with University of Maryland Baltimore Police Officers

Aug 25th, 2017

Taylor Owens and Vernon Stepney, two BCHD interns who are rising juniors at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, conducted a Zika presentation to the University of Maryland Baltimore Police Depar

BCHD interns Vernon and Taylor present about the Zika virus

Public Health Heroes: BCHD Animal Control Officers Often Save Humans, Too

Aug 25th, 2017

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Animal Enforcement Officer Supervisor Hodge made his way to the courthouse to get a warrant signed regarding an investigation of a home where animal abuse was suspected of taking place. Officer Hodge and other Animal Control staff met with Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers to go to the house to execute the warrant. After entering the house, the Animal Control Officers did not find any of the dogs. Instead, the officers found the floors covered in dog feces and trash and a rancid smell in the air. What appeared to be a vacant home actually housed a family with two small infants.

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