McKee Names New RI Interim Director For Department Of Health

PROVIDENCE, RI — Gov. Dan McKee appointed Dr. Utpala Bandy as the next interim director for the Rhode Island Department of Health.

McKee on Thursday said Bandy will replace interim Director James McDonald on June 26. McDonald is stepping down from state service on July 29 to take care of his mother, who has Alzheimer's disease.

"Dr. Bandy has vast experience as a public health leader and infectious disease epidemiologist in Rhode Island," McKee said in a statement. "She has been at the center of our state’s COVID-19 response and dozens of other major public health initiatives over the last three decades. In addition to her work in infectious disease, she has extensive knowledge of preventive services and health promotion. Her steady hand will be critical as we continue getting as many Rhode Islanders vaccinated against COVID-19 as possible, and as we try to make Rhode Island the healthiest place in the country to live, work, and play."

Bandy currently serves as the Director of RIDOH’s Division of Preparedness, Response, Infectious Disease, and Emergency Medical Services. She has led RIDOH’s infectious disease division since 2012.

McKee said Bandy helped steer the state’s response to the COVID-19 and H1N1 global pandemics and led efforts to prevent or control outbreaks of diseases of significant concern, including tuberculosis, measles, rabies, and meningococcal disease. She also helped guide efforts to reduce rates of new HIV infections over the last 30 years in Rhode Island, and manages the federal grants received by RIDOH to do routine infectious disease surveillance and response work.

"Rhode Island has one of the best public health work forces in the country, thanks to the talented professionals at RIDOH and the community partnerships that we have developed over the years," Bandy said. "I look forward to partnering with Governor McKee and his team to support the crucial work happening throughout the Department to promote healthy living in every community throughout the state."