Worcester Appoints New Commissioner of Health and Human Services

WORCESTER — The city has appointed a new Commissioner of Health and Human Services, City Manager Eric D. Batista announced Friday.

Seema Dixit, the longtime Deputy Director for the Rhode Island Department of Health, will serve as the new HHS Commissioner in Worcester beginning Tuesday. She will oversee many public health divisions in the city.

This follows Dr. Matilde Castiel, the city's former Health and Human Services Commissioner, announcing her retirement in September after 10 years of service. Dr. Castiel was appointed as the first HHS Commissioner for the department.

Related: Worcester City Employee To Retire After 10 Years

The city began its search to fill that role in October. According to its job posting, the role offers an annual salary of $140,000 to $160,000.

Dixit joins the city with more than 25 years of experience in public health leadership roles. Batista said that she has proven success in managing multimillion-dollar programs, leading interagency partnerships, and advancing policy.

“I am deeply honored to be appointed Commissioner of Health and Human Services for the City of Worcester,” said Dixit. “I look forward to working alongside our dedicated staff, community partners, and residents to strengthen public health, expand access to essential services, and build equitable health systems as deserved by the community.”

Before working in Rhode Island, Dixit served as the Department’s Community Mitigation & Enforcement Lead for its COVID-19 Response and as Director of Environmental Health.

She holds two master's degrees from Tufts University and graduated from SNDT Women’s University in Mumbai, India.

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