Mayor Martin Appoints Acting Director Of Health

STAMFORD, CT — Mayor David Martin has appointed Jody Bishop-Pullan as acting Director of Health for the City of Stamford after Dr. Jennifer Calder notified Martin that she will not renew her contract in order to "pursue other endeavors", according to a news release from Martin's office.

Bishop-Pullan has an extensive background in community service and outreach and as a public health educator. According to a news release, she has served as the chairperson of the Norwalk Board of Education, and as an adjunct faculty member at local universities. Bishop-Pullan has a master's degree in public health from Southern Connecticut State University, to go along with four decades of service in public health.

"Jody has the precise experience and credentials to successfully lead the Department of Health in Stamford," Martin said in a news release. "She has been a key figure in the city’s leadership team during the ongoing public health emergency and will continue doing a tremendous job at keeping our city healthy and safe in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic."

Martin praised Calder for her service and work in Stamford, especially over the last year-and-a-half.

"Dr. Calder acted as an integral part of our city’s success in combating COVID-19. She courageously led the Department of Health throughout the pandemic, while continuing to manage all of the significant responsibilities of a Director of Health," Martin said in a news release. "We cannot express enough our gratitude for all that she has contributed, and I wish her all the best in the future."

Ted Jankowski, Director of Public Safety, Health and Welfare, also thanked Calder and looked forward to Bishop-Pullan coming on board.

"Dr. Calder brought about many positive changes in restructuring the Department of Health to provide more efficient health services for the Stamford Community. I thank her for her dedicated service,” Jankowski said in a news release. "With over 40 years of Public Health experience, the Department of Health is in good hands under Jody Bishop-Pullan’s leadership and I am confident that they will continue to be proactive in addressing the Health needs of the Stamford Community."

Dr. Henry Yoon, the city's medical advisor, will continue in his role to support Bishop-Pullan, and the Department of Health to advance Calder's work on Stamford's COVID-19 efforts.

"They are upholding the vital importance of vaccinating residents in the face of the highly contagious delta variant, while also focusing on the general health and well-being of all city residents," the news release said.