07/02/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/02/2024 11:17
Harrisburg, PA - Yesterday, the Pennsylvania State Senate confirmed Governor Josh Shapiro's nomination of Dr. Debra L. Bogen as Secretary of the Department of Health (DOH).
Secretary Bogen was appointed to her post by Governor Shapiro following more than three decades as a primary care pediatrician and nearly three years at the helm of the Allegheny County Health Department.
"Secretary Bogen has done incredible work leading the Department of Health since the beginning of my Administration - she is working to ensure every Pennsylvanian has access to the care they need as they grow and age, has built strong relationships across the Commonwealth, and has helped keep Pennsylvanians safe in emergencies," said Governor Josh Shapiro. "I'm grateful for her leadership and proud she was confirmed by the Senate last night."
"I am deeply honored and humbled by Governor Shapiro's unwavering confidence and the bipartisan support of the Pennsylvania Senate," said Secretary Bogen. "I look forward to continuing to focus on improving health and wellness of Pennsylvanians and working with the incredible team of public health professionals at the Department of Health and in collaboration with our sister state agencies."
Since taking office, Secretary Bogen has traveled across the Commonwealth to hear directly from health professionals, stakeholders, and legislators to identify public health priorities and challenges. Under Secretary Bogen's leadership, among other things, the Department of Health:
Prior to joining the Commonwealth, Dr. Bogen was the Director of the Allegheny County Health Department, where she and her staff stayed on top of the COVID-19 pandemic and provided consistent, measured, and common-sense information to the public while working closely with many stakeholders in the county.
Previously, Dr. Bogen was a member of the Pittsburgh region medical and research community for more than two decades. She held a primary academic appointment as Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh, and secondary appointments in psychiatry and clinical and translational science. Dr. Bogen also served as the Vice Chair of Education for the Department of Pediatrics at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. She dedicated her career as a pediatrician to caring for children and families impacted by social inequities. Her clinical research focused on the impact of mental health and substance use on families.
Dr. Bogen earned her medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency and general academic pediatrics fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She was one of the founders of the Mid-Atlantic Mothers' Milk Bank and served as the organization's Volunteer Medical Director until assuming her role at the state.
More information about the Department of Health is available at www.health.pa.gov.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: A high-resolution photo of Health Secretary Dr. Debra L. Bogen is available upon request for use in your story.
MEDIA CONTACT: Mark O'Neill - [email protected]