Dr. Marielena Vélez de Brown
Photo: MCDOH
Monroe County's interim Health Commissioner is dropping the interim tag.
Dr. Marielena Vélez de Brown has been tapped by the county Legislature to serve a full 6-year term.
Vélez de Brown has served in the department since 2016, and had been interim Commissioner since Dr. Michael Mendoza resigned suddenly in March.
She says her main focus will be on tackling public health problems like the opioid crisis, and helping to increase access to care for underserved communities.
Vélez de Brown is the first woman and the first Latina to serve in the post.