A former secretary of health for Pennsylvania is the new health commissioner of a New York county.
Orange County has a new health commissioner beginning June 1 - Dr. Eli Avila. He succeeds Dr. Jean Hudson, who retired from the post effective Friday. Outgoing Orange County Executive Ed Diana had appointed Dr. Hudson to the post in 2003. Dr. Avila’s appointment was approved by the state Department of Health, though awaits county legislature approval. Dr. Avila will start to serve the county while awaiting that approval. His most recent title is executive health policy and strategy advisor for Hamptons Health Society, a Long Island-based think tank. Prior to this, he served as Secretary of Health for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Chief Deputy Commissioner of Health and Director of Public Health for Suffolk County, New York.
