DHHS appoints Pezzullo Chief Health Officer

Christopher Pezzullo, D.O., has accepted the position of Chief Health Officer of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.  Dr. Pezzullo has been serving in this role in an acting capacity since March. The Chief Health Officer’s (CHO) role is to develop and coordinate an integrated, results-oriented approach throughout DHHS to address significant health issues that span many of the programs within the Department  The CHO will work to implement innovative public health strategies that partner community health promotion efforts with health care clinicians and leaders as well as to construct a more integrated, effective health system through collaboration between clinical care and public health.  All of these efforts are designed to provide strong clinical leadership within the Department to positively improve the health of Maine people. “I have been impressed with Dr. Pezzullo’s knowledge of and commitment to the public health issues that are impacting Mainers,” wrote DHHS Commissioner Mary Mayhew when announcing the appointment. “His experiences in clinical practice will be helpful as we focus on critical issues like drug-affected babies, fragmented care delivery, chronic disease management, eldercare and effective primary care screenings for tobacco, alcohol and drug use.” Dr. Pezzullo has been practicing medicine for nearly 20 years in Maine as a pediatrician.  He’s a graduate of the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine and has been recognized as a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics and the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners.  Dr. Pezzullo previously served as the Medical Director of the Division of Population Health at Maine CDC, beginning in 2012.  Prior to joining State government, he was the Chief Medical Officer for University Health Care from 2008 to 2012.