New Canaan Appoints New Town Medical Director

NEW CANAAN, CT — The Board of Selectmen appointed Dr. Jamie Ruszkowski as New Canaan's new town medical director during a recent meeting.

Ruszkowski will take over the role vacated by Dr. David Reed, who recently retired after moving to Fairfield to be closer to his family.

During the Dec. 3 board meeting, Human Resources Personnel Director Cheryl Jones said Ruszkowski is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and Albany Medical College.

After a medical residency at Yale New Haven Health, Ruszkowski was an internist with the Internal Medicine Associates of Westport PC from August 2017 to April 2023, according to Jones.

She has served as an internist with Comprehensive Care of New Canaan PC since April 2023.

"[Ruszkowski] has already worked closely with the health department," Jones said. "She has done TikToks, food allergy awareness and she did a 'lunch and learn' on osteoporosis, which was sold out."

During the meeting, Director of Health Jen Eielson thanked Ruszkowski for the work she has already done for the town over the past year and a half.

"I think she's going to be a natural fit to this role," Eielson said, "and we're looking forward to having her aboard as the medical director."

Selectman Amy Murphy Carroll asked for clarification on the responsibilities of the town medical director.

According to Eielson, the role mainly deals with the town's vaccine program.

"They are actually the prescribing physician, so that's the main role for statutorily why the towns have a medical director," Eielson said, "but it's not something where you come in the office or do anything like that. You can make it more like what Jamie has already been doing with us on a volunteer basis by doing a lot of the community programming...the role itself is primarily just for the vaccine program and anything that comes up."

Prior to the board's unanimous approval of Ruszkowski, Jones read a letter from Reed, whom she noted has served as the town's health and medical director for over 20 years, during which he has worked for "six selectmen and three directors of health."

In his letter, Reed praised Eielson as "an innovative and outstanding guardian of the town's public health" and noted working with her has been one of the best experiences of his career.

A 30-year resident of New Canaan, Reed further noted it "has been his pleasure to serve the town of New Canaan" and an "outstanding experience" that he and his wife, Janet, have both cherished.

"We thank David for everything he's done over the years, especially during COVID," Eielson said. "Him and his wife were both instrumental during COVID, so we appreciate that."

Ruszkowski will officially begin her new role Jan. 1, 2025.

"I really appreciate all you've been doing for the town already," First Selectman Dionna Carlson said, "and I look forward to bringing you on board."