Dr. Grant Mussman tapped as Cincinnati's interim health commissioner

Dr. Grant Mussman has been named Cincinnati's interim health commissioner, taking over duties for Melba Moore, who resigned in January.

Mussman, who previously served as medical director for the Cincinnati Health Department, began his new role Friday. The position became available after Moore, who led Cincinnati through the COVID-19 pandemic, resigned to "pursue new opportunities."

"I resigned because I have accomplished what I wanted to do," she told The Enquirer on Jan. 26, declining to comment further the next day.

In January, Cincinnati Board of Health Chair Dr. Edward Herzig said the the initial plan would be for assistant health commissioner Domonic Hopson to serve as interim health commissioner, but the board announced Friday it had tapped Mussman to take over the duties while a search is conducted. Mussman will also work with new interim medical director, Dr. Denise Saker, to continue medical director duties, according to a news release. Saker has been with the health department since 2012, practicing pediatrics at the Bobbie Sterne Health Center.

Herzig said Mussman, a pediatrician, will also lead the national search for the next permanent health commissioner.

"He is well qualified to assume this position and has served as the health department's medical director since December 2020," Herzig said in a statement. "He leads the City of Cincinnati Primary Care clinics with distinction. The Board looks forward to working with Dr. Mussman."

Moore, 65, was hired by the Cincinnati Board of Health in August 2018, a time of turmoil for which the board was looking for a strong leader. She came to Cincinnati from the St. Louis Department of Health, where she last served as acting director.

Mussman practiced primarily at Braxton Cann Medical Center and Price Hill Health Center before he began serving as associate medical director for School Health and school-based health centers in 2019.

In the release, Moore said Mussman "understands the critical need of establishing metrics to ensure staff and patient safety and improvement in health outcomes."

Founded in 1826, the Cincinnati Health Department reaches almost every corner of the city. Employees run nine health centers and five dental centers, serving 50,000 people or 1 in 6 Cincinnati residents. The department inspects restaurants and supermarkets to ensure they are safe and sanitary. It watches for public health threats such as mosquito-borne illnesses. It studies trends and provides guidance to city leaders on health matters.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Grant Mussman appointed interim health commissioner for Cincinnati