City of Framingham’s Health Director Leaving in October

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FRAMINGHAM – The City of Framingham’s Health Director Alex DePalo will be leaving in October.

DePalo, who has been Director since September 2021, joined the City of Framingham in 2018 as the Assistant Director of Public Health.

She became acting director when Sam Wong resigned from his post at the end of 2020.

The City Council approved DePalo as Director, after former mayor Yvonne Spicer’s first nominee was rejected by the City’s legislative body.

During her tenure, the Health Department returned to the Memorial Building and opened a nursing clinic in Downtown Framingham to better serve residents and families, according to the City’s press release.

The Department hired and trained new health inspectors, increased grant related activities, and developed strong relationships with a variety of health and human service organizations, said the City in a press release.

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“There are so many great organizations serving our Framingham community,” said DePalo, in a press release that went to all 11 City Councilors. “I am grateful for their partnership and collaboration with the Health Department and I know it will continue.”

The press release said DePalo was transitioning into a position in the “non-profit sector.”

“I want to thank Mayor Sisitsky and his administration for the opportunity to serve as the Director of Public Health. I would also like to thank the City Council and dedicated members of the Board of Health for their support during challenging and uncertain times. It has been an honor to work with
each member of the Health Department staff, as well as our many colleagues across the City and in the Framingham Public Schools,” DePalo said in the release.

As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded the Health Department coordinated a number of responses under Director DePalo’s leadership including free COVID-19 testing sites, contact tracing activities, an emergency food & toiletry distribution program, mask donation and distribution programs, and
COVID-19 vaccine clinics across City locations as well as through home visits, said the City in the press release.

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“Director DePalo’s departure is certainly a loss for the City, considering her talent and impressive tenure,” said Mayor Charlie Sisitsky, in the release that went to the 11 City Councilors. “She leaves the Department with a strong foundation that I am committed to building on as we transition over the next several weeks. I wish her luck in her future endeavors in the non-profit sector and thank her for her dedication.”

The City has been advertising for an Assistant Health Director for more than a year.

The City of Framingham Public Health Nurse Kitty Mahoney retired earlier this year.

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