New Health Commissioner Selected For Dutchess County

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — A new commissioner for Dutchess County's Department of Behavioral and Community Health has been selected by Executive Marc Molinaro.

Dr. Livia Santiago-Rosado, who most recently served as the chairwoman and medical director of emergency medicine at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, was chosen to replace Dr. Anil Vaidian.

Vaidian resigned in August as head of the department effective Sept. 10.

Santiago-Rosado's appointment resolution will be sent to the Dutchess County Legislature for approval at its Nov. 8 meeting, according to a spokeswoman.

Santiago-Rosado, who lives in LaGrange has more than 20 years of medical experience. Prior to Vassar Brothers, she served as attending physician and vice chairwoman for the Department of Emergency Medicine at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow.

She previously served as attending physician in the New York City Health + Hospitals system at Elmhurst Hospital Center and Queens Hospital Center, where she also served as associate director for more than a decade.

Molinaro said the county was excited to have Santiago-Rosado as commissioner.

"Serving in emergency departments right here in Dutchess County, she knows first-hand the challenges our most vulnerable populations face dealing with both physical and behavioral health issues," he said.

"She has been hands-on addressing issues relating to opiate and substance use disorders and she has served on the front line throughout the COVID-10 pandemic," Molinaro said

Santiago-Rosado earned her M.D. from Columbia University in New York, after earning her bachelor of arts degree in biological anthropology from Harvard University. She completed her post-graduate medical training through St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center as an intern in the Transitional Program in the Department of Medicine in New York and as an emergency medicine resident at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.

She said she was truly honored to serve her community as health commissioner.

"Now more than ever before, we understand the importance of public health and the impact it has on our daily lives," Santiago-Rosado said. "I am excited to bring my passion for data-driven, common-sense administration and my experience inpatient care to this new role."

She is married to Dr. Mark Stillman, and they have a daughter and a son.

Following confirmation by the county legislature and approval by the New York State Department of Health, Santiago-Rosado is expected to begin serving as commissioner in late December, the county said.