HARTFORD, Conn.—Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, has been named the President of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). Commissioner Juthani was voted into the role by state and territorial health officials from across the country last year and today begins her one-year appointment as president. She is taking over for outgoing president Scott Harris, MD, MPH, State Health Officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health. Prior to her presidency, Commissioner Juthani has served as president-elect and secretary/treasurer for ASTHO.
“Commissioner Juthani’s dedication to the health and safety of our residents is well known. Her reputation extends well beyond our state lines which is evident by this recognition from her public health colleagues across the country,” said Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. “Congratulations Commissioner Juthani on this wonderful accomplishment—you continue to make the State of Connecticut proud.”
Locally and nationally, Commissioner Juthani has embodied ASTHO’s mission to support, equip, and advocate for state and territorial health officials in their work of advancing the public’s health and wellbeing. It’s this work and collaboration that is important now more than ever as federal guidance departs from usual norms. For 80 years, ASTHO has continued to support its members and other public health officers across America. Some of the work ASTHO has conducted over the years includes improving the collection and utilization of public health data, expanding access to care and treatment, and creating new preparedness frameworks to respond to crises.
“I am deeply honored to serve as president of ASTHO and honored my public health colleagues have entrusted me with this role,” said Commissioner Juthani. “Whether it was providing up to date public health content, connections to federal partners, venues for colleagues to learn from each other, or resources to navigate new and old challenges, I knew I would receive more than I could ever give to this organization. The Connecticut DPH team has benefited from so many ASTHO programs including those that focus on leadership development, technical assistance, and legislative advocacy. I look forward to leading this extraordinary organization as we drive meaningful change to improve health outcomes for all.”
Commissioner Juthani’s career in medicine and public health spans more than two decades. She is the first Indian American to serve as a commissioner in the State of Connecticut. Juthani served as Professor of Medicine at Yale School of Medicine through September 2024 and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Medicine. She served as Director of the Infectious Diseases Fellowship Program from 2012 to 2021. Dr. Juthani received her BA from the University of Pennsylvania and MD from Cornell University Medical College, completed Internal Medicine residency training at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Campus, and served as Chief Resident at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She came to Connecticut in 2002 as an Infectious Diseases Fellow at Yale School of Medicine.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Juthani was a leader in the COVID response at Yale, which led to her appointment as Commissioner of DPH in 2021. In the early days of the pandemic, she was a voice to help educate the public in both local and national media outlets, a role she has expanded and amplified as DPH Commissioner.
As DPH Commissioner, she continues to combat emerging infectious diseases and is committed to preserving foundational public health principles and services to keep the residents of Connecticut healthy. To do this work, she is committed to growing the public health workforce and collaborating with local health departments who are essential partners in implementing public health policies. She sees these goals through an equity lens, which is essential through this time of transition to ensure health as a human right is upheld. She also champions the critical role public health plays in maintaining the health and safety of all.
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