Former Ulster County Legislator Eve Walter becomes Director of Public Health

KINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- Former Ulster County Legislator Eve Walter has been appointed the Ulster County Director of Public Health, by County Executive Jen Metzger. The appointment, already approved by the state health commissioner, is pending approval from the Ulster County Legislature.

If confirmed, Walter will be the first non-physician to lead the department since 2009. In May, the Legislature voted to approve the charter to align the requirements for the position with New York State Public Health Law, which allows for the county department of health to be overseen by a director, with a health-related master's degree or a commissioner, certified to practice medicine.

The position previously required a medical doctor to serve. Walter will replace Commissioner of Health Dr. Carol Smith, who retired earlier this year.

Walter is currently a Senior Director of Research and Evaluation at Alliance Chicago and an Associate Professor of Research at Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine. She holds a Ph.D. in Epidemiology and a master's degree in Community Health.

According to Metzger, Walter has an extensive background in epidemiology, administration, and within the healthcare field. As a former legislator herself, she also brings a deep knowledge of county government operations and budget.

"I am thrilled to appoint Eve Walter as the new Director of Public Health," said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. "We undertook a rigorous interview and selection process for this important position, and she is clearly the best qualified to lead Ulster County's Public Health Department.

"With 25 years of experience in the field of health research and evaluation, disparities research, and women's health and gender equity research, her experience will be invaluable as we continue to prioritize the health and wellness of our communities across Ulster County," she continued. "Her experience in the Legislature and as former Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee will be an asset to the job, as she comes into this leadership role with considerable knowledge of the Department she will oversee as well as County operations and budget more generally."

According to a release, Ulster County held an extensive interview process for the position, with four rounds of interviews. Input from representatives from the Board of Health and County Departments also led to Walter's appointment.

"I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to further serve Ulster County, drawing from my decades of work in public health locally, regionally and nationally," said Dr. Eve Walter. "I am committed to dedicating myself to the health and wellbeing of all residents in our great County through expanded outreach and services."

The Legislature is set to vote on the appointment at the Oct. 15 meeting.