Picente Announces Phyllis D. Ellis New Oneida County Health Director

Picente Announces Phyllis D. Ellis New Oneida County Health Director
County Executive Also Announces Restructuring Of Health Department

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente has tapped Phyllis D. Ellis for the new Director of the Oneida County Health Department. The position has been vacant since August 2012. Current Interim Director Patrice Bogan will stay on in the new role of Deputy Director.

In a restructuring of one of the largest departments in County Government the agency will now consist of a Director and Deputy Director for the first time in its history. Anthony Picente Jr. said in regards to the move “The Health Department has a fundamental and crucial role in County Government. They directly interact and inform the people about public health and must have stability and continuity. This new structuring will bring a long overdue change to how the Health Department operates.”

Patrice Bogan, who has been interim director since August 2012, has accepted the role of Deputy Director. Bogan’s previous roles within the Health Department including ten years as the Director of Clinic Services and time spent in different roles as a Nurse Practitioner. Picente said “Patrice has done an outstanding job as interim director. Her expertise and institutional knowledge is un-paralleled. She will make an excellent Deputy Director.”

Phyllis D. Ellis, a Registered Professional Nurse, comes to her new position via St. Elizabeth Medical Center where she has held administrative roles ranging from Vice President in charge of Emergency Medical Services to Trauma Coordinator. Her experience also includes being a member of the faculty at New School University in the Masters Health Service Administration Program. Ellis has also been a School Nurse in the Utica School District.

County Executive Picente said “Phyllis is exactly what we wanted in the Director’s role. Her range of experience including being a Vice President at a major hospital to being a RN with practical experience is impressive. The Health Department is a large public organization that will benefit from Phyllis’ unique and varied knowledge. The Health Department, Oneida County Government and most importantly the people of Oneida County will all benefit from her leadership.”

Phyllis D. Ellis said of her appointment “I’m honored to be given this opportunity. I will bring with me my experience and familiarity with all aspects of public health. I have served in unique rolls as a hospital administrator, RN and Faculty member. I know what needs to be done in this department to build on the good things that are taking place while making the appropriate adjustments that will benefit all aspects of Public Health and the citizens of Oneida County.”