Spicer Nominates DePalo As New Framingham Health Director

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer has nominated acting Health Director Alexandra DePalo to take on the job permanently, the second nominee Spicer has put forward following Dr. Sam Wong's resignation earlier this year.

DePalo has been serving as the acting director for most of 2021 after Wong went on an extended leave of absence in December, followed by his departure from the city. Spicer previously nominated Dr. Monifa Charles for the job, but the City Council rejected the pick in a 7-4 vote in June.

DePalo came to Framingham in 2018 from Hudson along with Wong to serve as the assistant health director. She previously said she wasn't interested in taking over for her former boss, who now works for the state Department of Public Health.

But her time in the lead health director role has changed her mind, she said.

"When the position first became available, I chose not to apply," DePalo said in a news release Tuesday. "I was focused on supporting the staff and moving the Health Department's work forward during a difficult time. Now I have been in the role for several months, and feel I better understand the position."

DePalo has a masters degree in public health from Boston University, and previously worked at the program director for the Center for Health Impact in Worcester, at the MetroWest Health Foundation and at the Boston University School of Public Health.

The City Council will still have to confirm DePalo before she can officially become the new health director.