Secretary of Health Robert Neall announced the appointment of Dr. Howard Haft as the new executive director for the Maryland Primary Care Program (MDPCP) and Fran Phillips as the new deputy secretary of Public Health Services.

From the Department of Health press release,

Dr. Haft has served as deputy secretary since 2015, focusing on improving the health and wellness of all Marylanders through the many programs offered by Public Health Services. He will now oversee the day to day operations of the MDPCP, which will officially launch on Jan. 1, 2019. Dr. Haft will assume his new role on Tuesday, Aug. 28.

Fran Phillips, current acting Anne Arundel County health officer since 2017, has been appointed as the new deputy secretary for Public Health Services. She returns to the Maryland Department of Health, having previously served as deputy secretary for Public Health Services from 2008 to 2013. Prior to her first appointment in 2008, Ms. Phillips was the health officer for Anne Arundel County from 1993 to 2008, including a term in 2004 when she served as interim county fire chief.