Announcement is made of the appointment of Robin L. Clark-Smith as Director of Special Clinical Services for the Department of Health. She will replace former Director Tom Mahoney who retired after 26 years.
As Director of Special Clinical Services, Robin will provide HIV counseling and testing services and work collaboratively with Greenwich Hospital to provide a comprehensive sexually transmitted disease program, which operates Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. She will provide public health education in the Greenwich Schools and others in the area. As the Occupational Exposure Investigation Officer and Educator, she will serve municipal employees whose work activities potentially put them at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Finally, Robin will continue to work with local organizations to ensure the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS are met.
Commenting on this very significant assignment in the Greenwich Department of Health, Director Caroline Calderone Baisley stated that “Robin’s extensive work experience in HIV/AIDS counseling, education and program direction will allow the program to broaden its services to populations in need within the community. She will also bring insight into the administration of this Department’s commitment of protecting the public from communicable disease.”
In addition to possessing 24 years of public health work experience in the field of administration, counseling and education, Ms. Clark-Smith has a Masters Degree in Education/Community Agency Counseling. She also received the State of Connecticut’s AIDS Division: Mary Ann Markowski HIV Counselor Recognition Award in 2002 as well as the Connecticut Commissioner of Health’s AIDS Leadership Award in 2000.
“We are very pleased to hear that the Director of Health has found an exceptional candidate to fill this important position in her administration. A Director of Special Clinical Services is a vital component within a public health infrastructure as each community must control the spread of disease,” added Board of Health Chairman Robert Carangelo. “I am confident that Ms. Clark-Smith will assist the Director in continuing to provide needed services within the community.”