Mayor Barrett Appoints City's First African American Health Commissioner

Mayor Barrett Appoints City's  First
African American Health Commissioner

Milwaukee – Mayor Tom Barrett announced today the appointment of Bevan K. Baker, CHE, as the new Milwaukee Health Commissioner.  Baker has been serving as Acting Health Commissioner for the Milwaukee Health Department for the past six weeks.   The position has been vacant since May 14, 2004.

"Bevan has demonstrated a strong sense of leadership and inspiration to the department," said Mayor Barrett.  "I am confident that he, along with committed staff of the health department, will work to safeguard the health of the Milwaukee community."

Baker has worked for the City of Milwaukee Health Department since April 2001 as Health Operations Director.  In that role, he represented the Department to the community, industry leaders, and city and state government officials in addressing the public health needs of the community.

Baker holds a Masters Degree from the Department of Health Administration at the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University and his bachelor's degree in Medical Technology from Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina. He is board certified in healthcare management and a Diplomat in the American College of Healthcare Executives, a board certified Medical Technologist with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and a member of the American Public Health Association.  He currently serves as Chair of the Communications and Information Committee of the Milwaukee County/Waukesha County Consortium for Emergency Public Health Preparedness.

— # # # —