Gov. Donald L. Carcieri has tapped Dr. David R. Gifford, a Brown Medical School professor and nationally known public health and geriatrics expert, to replace Dr. Patricia A. Nolan as director of the state Department of Health, effective March 1.
Nolan, whose contract expires Feb. 28, has chosen not to seek another five-year term, Carcieri said. He did not say whether he had tried to change her mind, but did deny that a report critical of the medical examiner’s handling of the fire at The Station, or the problems at Hillside Health Center, were factors in Nolan’s departure.
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Instead, Carcieri praised her for making “lots of great contributions” in her 10 years of service, and indirectly apologized for announcing her replacement just hours after a news conference focused on one of her great successes, the passage of a smoke-free workplace law.
Carcieri is clearly enthusiastic about getting Gifford on his team. He noted that Gifford is a “nationally recognized voice” who has “devoted his entire career to improving the quality of care that patients throughout our health care system receive,” and has taken on key issues in Rhode Island, including nursing home care.
Indeed, through his work at Brown and as chief medical officer at Quality Partners of Rhode Island, Gifford has produced research and best-practices recommendations, especially regarding nursing homes, that have influenced Rhode Island’s and many other states’ laws and public policy. He’s also an adviser to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
“He’s a very distinguished guy – he’s got a national reputation,” said Newell Warde, executive director of the Rhode Island Medical Society, in an interview. “It’s wonderful that he’s willing to step into this position.”
Gifford will have to give up his work now – which he said was “the hardest part” of deciding to go into the public sector – but he said he would try to maintain some connection to Brown University and its public health program, and he does expect to keep making inroads in the fields to which he has devoted his career.
As state health director, Gifford said, his “key focus” will be “to improve the quality of care that all Rhode Islanders receive,” and to create “a system and a climate where providing the best possible care is the paramount concern.”
To achieve this, he said, he will seek to improve the internal operations of the department, continue programs that support his goals and create new ones, and build relationships. He also vowed to work closely with legislators.
Improving nursing home quality and operations at the medical examiner’s office will be priorities, Gifford said, but he will also work on health information technology, patient safety, public reporting and health prevention programs.
Nolan “has left a strong foundation and a capable staff in place I can build on,” Gifford said. “I have always found her to be a thoughtful and concerned public servant. I have learned a great deal from her.”
Gifford’s appointment requires confirmation by the state Senate. By law, he would be hired under a five-year contract, Carcieri spokesman Jeffrey Neal said.
