Orange County Appoints New Health Commissioner

GOSHEN, NY — Orange County has a new commissioner of health.

County Executive Steven Neuhaus announced Monday that Dr Alicia Pointer has been named the next health commissioner.

Her appointment was approved by the state Department of Health and is pending legislative approval, according to a spokesperson.

Neuhaus said Pointer was the right choice at the right time.

"I am confident that her talent and her passion for the health and well-being of our residents make her a great fit to work with our dedicated health department staff to serve our community," he said.

Pointer will replace Dr. Irina Gelman who announced in July she was named Nassau County's health commissioner.

Pointer previously served as chief of pediatrics at Cornerstone Family Healthcare in Newburgh from 2016 to 2022.

Prior to that, she practiced at the Middletown Community Health Cetner and the Caring Health Center in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Pointer received her doctorate in medicine in addition to a master's degree in public health from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2010. She completed her residency at Tufts University School of Medicine/Baystate Medical Center in 2013.

She said she was excited about the new opportunity and thanked Neuhaus for appointing her.

"I look forward to working with out local hospital and healthcare providers, as well as the dedicated team in the county's Health Department," Pointer said.

"Now more than ever, we understand the importance of public health," she said, "and I look forward to bringing my experience in patient care to ensure that Orange County's residents are as healthy as possible."