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FRAMINGHAM – Mayor Yvonne M. Spicer announced she has nominated Alexandra DePalo, a near 20-year public health professional and current Acting Director of Public Health, as the Department’s new Director.
The nomination is subject to approval of the City’s legislative branch of government, the City Council.
As the nomination is coming in the 4th year of the Mayor’s 4-year term it requires a 2/3rd approval of 8 votes of the Council.
The appointment is for a 3-year term. The Mayor is seeking re-election but has two challengers for her seat. Voters will decide the mayoral race on November 2.
The Mayor’s first pick for health director was rejected by the City Council.
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In December 2020, Health Director Sam Wong resigned.
Depalo has been filling in as Acting Director since January 2021, although the Spicer administration has been stating she has not been officially acting until February 2021, when Wong finished up his vacation time and was no longer being paid by the City of Framingham.
DePalo has been Assistant Director since 2018.
As Acting Director, Alex has been responsible for the day-to-day oversight of all Health
Department activities including staff hiring and support, COVID-19 response efforts, securing
external funding, program and service expansion, and convening the Board of Health.
In 2018, DePalo was hired to oversee staff, manage and report on the budget, and supervise
community health activities, among other tasks.
“Filling the Director of Public Health position has been a long process,” said Mayor
Spicer. “I have had a front-row seat to Alex’s management style and leadership skills. We are
very fortunate in Framingham to have someone of her caliber willing to step up and take on the opportunities and challenges of the City.”
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“I am pleased to accept this appointment, and, if approved, to serve as the Director of Public
Health,” said DePalo. “When the position first became available, I chose not to apply. I was
focused on supporting the staff and moving the Health Department’s work forward during a
difficult time. Now I have been in the role for several months, and feel I better understand the
position. We have a great team in the Health Department- hard working, eager to learn new
things, and willing to step up time and again as new challenges arise. I am grateful to each of
them for their commitment and support this year. I look forward to working alongside Mayor
Spicer and the Health Department staff to serve the public health needs of our community.”
Before coming to Framingham, DePalo worked for the Town of Hudson, as the Director of
Community Health from 2014-18; Center for Health Impact as the Program Director in
Worcester, MA 2009-14; MetroWest Health Foundation as a Program Officer from 2006-09;
Boston University School of Public Health as a Program Manager 2004-06; and Best Buddies
Massachusetts as a Program Manager from 2002-03.
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DePalo has a Master of Public Health from Boston University, School of Public Health, and a
Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT.
MetroWest Medical Center