Posts Tagged ‘ri department of health’
State shifting COVID resources – all of Rhode Island now “low risk”
National COVID assessment of each state and its level of risk – low, medium, or high – has now designated Rhode Island as low risk throughout its 5 counties. In addition, testing is most accessible in our own homes with free or low cost test kits widely available. Omicron variants seem to have less of…
Read MoreDr. James McDonald leaving Health Dept; making changes for family (letter)
Dr. James McDonald, MD, MPH, will be stepping down as the Interim Director at the Department of Health, effective July 29, 2022. His decision comes as he announced he will move to New York to focus on emerging healthcare needs of his family – both with his parents and children. Governor McKee will continue to…
Read MoreRI News For You: National, local news for you to know, passings of note
by Nancy Thomas Our second issue of “RI News for you” – an occasional quick summary of happenings when they happen – to keep you more informed in your busy day, and our busy news cycle. ALEXA! “I want to talk to a doctor” – Amazon’s ALEXA and Teladoc Health are teaming up to provide…
Read MoreDr. Stephen Skoly: “I’ll be back in my office next week” – RI Health Dept drops COVID action
by Nancy Thomas “I’ll be practicing as soon as possible – I will be in my office next week,” an understated Dr. Skoly said yesterday in a radio interview. Dr. Stephen Skoly has become well known in the last few months, not for his prowess as a highly respected oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Rhode…
Read MoreDr. Nicole Alexander-Scott exits as Director of the RI Department of Health
Photo: (June, 2020) – Brett Smiley’s Twitter photo with Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott at Black Lives Matter demonstration at the RI State House where members of administration volunteered to hand out masks and information on COVID19. Yesterday, Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott resigned as Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. Her statement: “Serving as the Director…
Read MoreIn the Arena – with Tom McCarthy, COVID Response Unit
Each week Joe Paolino, Jr. interviews people of interest on his program, “In The Arena”. The show airs at 7am on Sundays on ABC6. This week his guest is Tom McCarthy, Executive Director of the RI Department of Health’s COVID Response Unit. We’ve seen him discussing logistics at the weekly press conferences. The show was…
Read MoreRI has enforcement plan for October 1st healthcare worker vaccination deadline
Leading up to the October 1st vaccination deadline of healthcare workers, Governor McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health announced what they refer to as “an enforcement strategy: for Rhode Island’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement for healthcare workers. “The enforcement strategy will help safeguard patients, residents, and staff by holding health professionals and facilities accountable…
Read MoreRhode Island to consolidate COVID-19 testing sites
Governor McKee and RIDOH Announce COVID-19 Test Site Consolidation Plan Due to a shift in strategy and focus in the State’s COVID-19 response, Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) are announcing their plan to consolidate State-run COVID-19 test sites. As the pandemic evolves, the State’s testing strategy has become more…
Read MoreDon’t blame Rhode Islanders for Health Dept’s botched vaccination sign-up
by Nancy Thomas, editorial We’ve heard over and over again there is nothing the public needs to do right now to register for an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccination. We’ve heard that there is a priority ranking – but that has become a changing target. First healthcare workers. Then nursing home and assisted living…
Read MoreNew Podcast: Public Health Out Loud – Drs. McDonald & Chan
Rhode Island Department of Health Launches Public Health Out Loud Podcast The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is launching a podcast this week – Public Health Out Loud – as a new platform to help Rhode Islanders stay informed about an array of local and national public health issues. Envisioned as a continuation of the Facebook Live series…
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