June 3, 2008
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DEPUTY COMMISSIONER PREPARES FOR A NEW OPPORTUNITY
Dr. Lisa Kaplowitz Takes on a New Leadership Role with VDH
(RICHMOND, Va.)—Virginia Health Commissioner, Karen Remley, M.D., MBA, announced today that Lisa Kaplowitz, M.D., MSHA, has been selected to lead the Alexandria Health District. Her appointment is effective July 1.
Dr. Kaplowitz has served as Deputy Commissioner for Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R) since the program’s inception in 2002. Through her leadership, Virginia has consistently ranked at or near the top among states across the country in our level of public health and health care emergency preparedness and response according to such organizations as Trust For America’s Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Dr. Kaplowitz has been instrumental in putting together a team of professionals whom she guided in developing emergency preparedness and response programs that address a full range of natural and man-made hazards that could affect the Commonwealth. All Virginians can feel more secure about the health and safety of their families and communities as a result of the work that she has performed,” said Dr. Remley. “While we will miss Dr. Kaplowitz’s leadership in Richmond, we are pleased that VDH will continue to have the benefit of her knowledge and experience in her role as director of the Alexandria Health District.”
Dr. Kaplowitz succeeds Alexandria’s current health director, Charles Konigsberg, M.D., M.P.H., who earlier announced his retirement after serving the district and VDH since 1999. Dr. Konigsberg’s accomplishments include strengthening and coordinating the efforts of safety net providers, holding various leadership roles in the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and relocating the health department from an aging structure to its new offices. Dr. Konigsberg previously served as state health commissioner in Delaware and Kansas and led several large metropolitan health departments in the Southeast.
“I am pleased to know that I will be leaving the department and the people of Alexandria in good hands under Dr. Kaplowitz’s leadership,” said Dr. Konigsberg. He and Dr. Kaplowitz will begin working together with Alexandria’s management team, city officials and VDH to assure a smooth transition in leadership.
Dr. Kaplowitz sought this competitive opportunity to lead the Alexandria Health District “because I really enjoy working with the community and with diverse partners to improve public health and access to care. I am also looking forward to having a 10-minute commute to work from our home in Alexandria,” she said.
“While I will always be grateful for the opportunity to assist VDH in creating and developing the Commonwealth’s EP&R Programs, I am looking forward to working with an excellent management team, a committed city government, and an involved and engaged community in Alexandria,” said Dr. Kaplowitz.
Dr. Remley stated that an Acting Deputy Commissioner for EP&R will be named and that recruitment of a permanent successor for Dr. Kaplowitz is underway and will be completed in the near future.
