POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro has appointed a new commissioner of Behavioral and Community Health and she is no stranger to Dutchess County.
Dr. Livia Santiago-Rosado most recently served as the chairwoman and medical director of emergency medicine at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie.
Prior to her appointment at Vassar Brothers, she served as attending physician and vice chairwoman for the Department of Emergency Medicine at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow.
“Serving in emergency departments right here in Dutchess County, she knows first-hand the challenges our most vulnerable populations face dealing with both physical and behavioral health issues,” said Molinaro. “She has already been a passionate partner, working with DBCH to address how social determinants including income stability, education, neighborhoods and more, impact care.
He said she has been addressing issues related to opiate and substance use disorders and has served on the front line during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following confirmation by the county legislature and approval from the State Health Department, Santiago-Rosado is expected to begin serving as commissioner in late December.