PHILADELPHIA, PA — Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole will step down from her post on February 15, 2024, the Parker Administration announced on Friday. Deputy Health Commissioner Frank A. Franklin, PhD, JD, MPH has been tapped to serve as Interim Health Commissioner during a nationwide search for her replacement.
Dr. Bettigole’s tenure was marked by her tireless work during one of the most challenging periods in public health history. She led Philadelphia’s Health Department through the COVID-19 pandemic and coordinated responses to mass displaced persons events, including the resettlement of Afghan and Ukrainian evacuees and migrants from the southern U.S. border.
“Dr. Bettigole has served our city and citizens well as Health Commissioner,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “We’re gratified that Dr. Franklin has agreed to serve as Interim Health Commissioner, and look forward to his continuing leadership on such issues as substance use prevention and harm reduction.”
In her three years as Health Commissioner, Dr. Bettigole made notable strides in centering equity in the department’s decisions and expanding access to services. She also led the development of a five-year strategic plan focused on improving access to primary care, preparing for future public health emergencies, and incorporating equity into the department’s work. Her tenure saw the department renew its accreditation from both the Public Health Accreditation Board and Project Public Health Ready.
Dr. Franklin, who will assume the interim role, has served as Deputy Health Commissioner for the last three years. He brings a wealth of expertise, with a doctoral degree from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, a master’s in public health from Morehouse School of Medicine, and a Juris Doctor from Drexel University’s Kline School of Law. Prior to his current role, Dr. Franklin served as the Director of Epidemiology, Analytics and Evaluation Division at the Multnomah County Health Department.
Adam Thiel, Managing Director, lauded Dr. Bettigole’s work, stating, “The City of Philadelphia owes Dr. Bettigole a debt of gratitude for her work in directing the Health Department through deeply troubling times. She has worked diligently to improve health in our city, centering equity in all of her decisions, and expanding access to services.”
Dr. Bettigole expressed her deep appreciation for the opportunity to serve Philadelphia, saying, “I am immensely proud of the work that has taken place in the Health Department and am profoundly grateful for the professionalism, expertise, and dedication found within the employees who I was fortunate to serve with.”
As the city bids farewell to Dr. Bettigole and welcomes Dr. Franklin into his new role, the Parker Administration assures Philadelphians that the Health Department will remain steadfast in its mission to protect the health of its residents. The forthcoming appointment of a new Chief Medical Officer for the department aims to further reinforce this commitment.
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