Rhode Island may be nearing the end of its post-pandemic interim director and hiring its first health department secretary in more than two years.
Appearing on WBLQ's It's Your Business, hosted by Frank Prosnitz, Gov. Dan McKee said he has “a couple more final interviews” and that the governor's salary, which he says is currently about $150,000 ), he said he is working with the General Assembly to increase the amount. Increased competitiveness with neighboring states.
“We're looking forward to price competitiveness and we expect that to happen in March,” McKee said.
Adding to the sense of urgency is the expected resignation of interim director Dr. Utpala Bandi, MPH. McKee said Bundy plans to retire in the first or second quarter of this year.
Mr. Bundy was appointed interim director in June 2022 and succeeded Dr. James McDonald, who had served as interim director since January 2022, the following month. He resigned for reasons said to be family matters and moved to New York, where he became a commissioner. of the New York State Department of Health.
Mr. MacDonald was appointed as interim director when Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott stepped down from the board at the end of 2021, after serving in the role for seven years. She is currently the CEO of Nicole Alexander Scott LLC, which works with national partners to build healthy and resilient communities, and is a clinical professor at Brown University, according to its website. be.
Mr Scott has been a familiar face on television during the pandemic, and Mr McDonald, who took over the post on an interim basis, took on the role.
The governor said the state's health care system is among the best in the nation. U.S. News & World Report ranks Rhode Island second behind Hawaii. Forbes Advisor ranks Rhode Island his No. 3.
In his State of the State address and budget proposal, McKee highlighted the state's investment in Rhode Island's life sciences hub, established last year, and a proposed bond issue to build a life sciences building at the University of Rhode Island.