Bridget Rauscher, the former Interim Public Health Director, has been hired to serve as the permanent Director of Portland’s Health Department, effective today Monday, November 25, 2024.  Her salary is $113.720. annually.

The public health director is responsible for the  overall adminisdtration of Portland’s public health programs and serve as the division director, ensuring that an evidence based approach is used for all programs and services to meet the needs of the community.

Prior to being named the interim public health director, Rauscher served as Program Manager, managing prevention  programs and cliinical services as well as Portland’s Local Health officer since 2019. In 2017, she created the city’s Mobile Medical Outreach project, which is a community based medical and social service effort for homeless people in collaboration with the Portland Fire Departrent.  She also coordinated the city’s 2015 efforts to achieve its public health accreditation.

Ms. Rauscher holds a Master of Policy, Planning and Management degree from the University of Southern Maine Muskie School of Public Service and a Bachelor’s degree from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine.

Her predecessor was Dr. Alfredo Vergara who left the position at the  end of August for a  position at the University of New England.