Allegheny County Names New Health Director

PITTSBURGH, PA - With a coronavirus outbreak likely looming locally, Allegheny County filled its vacant health director position Wednesday. Dr. Debra Bogen, the vice chair for education at UMPC Children's Hospital's Department of Pediatrics, will assume the position beginning in May.

She succeeds Dr. Karen Hacker, who resigned last May after six years to take a position with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

Bogen earned her medical degree from the University of Colorado School of Medicine and completed postgraduate work at Johns Hopkins University. She is a professor of pediatrics, with secondary appointments in psychiatry and in clinical and translational Science. One of the founders of the Mid-Atlantic Mothers’ Milk Bank, Bogen has been an advocate for issues of maternal and child health.

County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said at a new conference that he was thrilled to be introcuing Bogen.

“We have many challenges ahead of us, but her focus on health equity and addressing those health issues where rates are racially disparate will allow us to continue moving towards a county that works for all," he said. "Just as importantly, she is energized and excited to jump into this position and serve our community. We are delighted to have her.”