Renee Coleman-Mitchell Out as DPH Commissioner. Department Turmoil During Pandemic Came With Heavy Price.

Renee Coleman-Mitchell will no longer serve as Commissioner of the Department of Public Health (DPH), Governor Ned Lamont announced Tuesday morning. The absence of DPH at the highest levels of state government in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic has been an open wound for the Lamont administration for months.

Nursing homes, which are regulated by DPH, have seen thousands of patient deaths as DPH appeared to dither at formulating an effective response.

Department of Social Services Commissioner Deidre Gilford will serves as acting commissioner of DPH.