Governor-Elect Shapiro names Dr. Debra Bogen as PA Secretary of Health

© Provided by KDKA-AM Radio Pittsburgh Dr. Debra Bogen, Director of the Allegheny County Health Dept.

Dr. Debra Bogen, head of the Allegheny County Health Department, has been nominated as Pennsylvania’s secretary of health.

Governor-elect Josh Shapiro made the announcement this morning.

Dr. Bogen has held her county position since early 2020, coming in at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

County Executive Rich Fitzgerald tells NewsRadio KDKA editor Pat Septak he believes her rapid and consistent response to the pandemic played a big role in her getting the statewide nomination:

"I think the way Dr. Bogen handled that to get good information out into the community without creating undue panic", he says, "I think the Governor-elect, Governor Shapiro, saw that, and heard about a lot of that".

Fitzgerald says he's very proud of Dr. Bogen, saying her nomination is well-deserved, and that he's thrilled to see "one our own from Western Pennsylvania leading the statewide effort".