Manisha Juthani came to head Connecticut’s Department of Public Health in September, facing not only a stubborn and deadly pandemic, but a politically-charged atmosphere in which much of the public chafed under COVID-19 precautions.
Before taking the helm of the state agency, Juthani was an infectious disease physician at the Yale School of Medicine. Juthani specialized in the diagnosis, management and prevention of infections in older adults.
While at Yale, Juthani informed the public about the pandemic through interviews with CNN, ABC’s 20/20 news program, Connecticut Public Radio, the New York Times, Washington Post and others.
According to the Connecticut Mirror, Juthani came to lead the DPH with hopes of using her listening skills and ability to clearly see situations to guide the 682-employee agency.
Juthani told the Mirror she aims to create a positive environment with clearly-defined roles and responsibilities. Part of that will involve recruiting new staff. She aims to create partnerships with public health schools, targeting prospects from the state’s black and brown communities.
“I want our workforce to reflect our community, to reflect the people we are going to be helping and to make a dent in some of those disparities,” Juthani told the Mirror.
Gov. Ned Lamont made news earlier this month when he announced he would drop mask mandates in schools, a polarizing issue nationwide. Juthani has the power to reinstate the mandate if necessary.