Governor Dan McKee has announced the appointment of a new acting director at the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) as Dr. Utpala Bandy prepares to retire on March 29th. Dr. Staci Fischer has been appointed to the role, and this change comes after several leadership changes at RIDOH since Governor McKee took office in 2021.
Fischer has extensive experience in public health, having been with RIDOH since 2023 and previously spending 15 years practicing at Rhode Island Hospital. She currently serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline and has overseen the training of medical residents and fellows at Lifespan, served as the Director of Graduate Medical Education, and led the Infectious Disease Fellowship Program at Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University.
Fischer is also board-certified in infectious diseases and has held positions with the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education. Her experience makes her an excellent fit for the role of acting director, and this appointment signals a continued commitment to public health and leadership within RIDOH under Governor McKee’s guidance.
