Indian American infectious diseases physician to lead state’s efforts on Covid-19, health disparities and access to healthcare
Dr. Manisha Juthani, an Indian American infectious diseases physician at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, has been nominated as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
Juthani specializes in the diagnosis, management, and prevention of infections in older adults. Her most recent area of interest is at the interface of infectious diseases and palliative care, including the role of antibiotics at the end of life.
“Dr. Juthani’s background in infectious diseases will be a tremendous benefit to the people of Connecticut as we continue to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and strengthen our vaccination efforts,†said Governor Ned Lamont announcing her nomination Monday.
“When seeking candidates to serve in this role, Dr. Juthani came recommended by many top experts in this field, and I am thrilled to have her join our administration.
Read: Indian American Dr. Meena Seshamani to lead Center for Medicare (July 8, 2021)
“I’m incredibly proud that Connecticut is among the leading states in vaccinating our residents, but as this pandemic continues, we need to implement sound policies that will keep the rates of transmission as low as possible,†he added.
Dr. Juthani will succeed Dr. Deidre Gifford as head of the state’s public health agency. Gifford takes on the role of Senior Advisor to the Governor,
“I am grateful to the civil servants at the Connecticut Department of Public Health, Dr. Gifford, and Governor Lamont for leading us through this pandemic to date,†Dr. Juthani said. “Under Dr. Gifford’s leadership, I look forward to continuing their efforts related to Covid-19, mental health, health equity, health disparities, and access to healthcare going forward.â€
Dr. Juthani completed her undergraduate training at the University of Pennsylvania, attended Cornell University Medical College, completed residency training at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Campus, and was a chief resident at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
She arrived at Yale School of Medicine in 2002 for infectious diseases fellowship training and joined the faculty full-time in 2006. She assumed the role of infectious diseases fellowship program director in 2012.
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Dr. Juthani will begin at the Department of Public Health on Sept 20, 2021. Dr. Gifford will then transition back to solely leading the Department of Social Services, while maintaining a close connection with Dr. Juthani to provide counsel as the response to the pandemic continues.
“I welcome Dr. Juthani to our team, and I am delighted to pass the reins of the Department of Public Health into her capable hands,†Dr. Gifford said.
“She joins a dedicated and skilled group of leaders at the department, whose work and dedication to public health over the last year have been exemplary.”
Read: Manisha Juthani is Lamont’s nominee to lead CT Department of Public Health (July 26, 2021)
1 Comment
I have two family members who contracted the COVID-19 virus, after being exposed by visiting relatives from another state, as they came in to attend a funeral. They have both been vaccinated and are self-quarantining at home. However, they need assistance, as it is difficult to simply get a drink of water. They are residents of Bloomfield, Conneticut. What/who can they reach out to for assistance in daily living? They are both senior citizens, aged 67 and 77.