Gifford Medical Center obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Ellamarie Russo-DeMara has been appointed by the governor to the State Board of Health. A physician at Gifford since 2005, Dr. Russo-DeMara is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and the only certified menopause practitioner in Vermont.
She was chosen by Gov. Peter Shumlin in February to fill a six-year term on the seven-member board. The board, by statute, consists of a dentist, three non-medical members and three physicians (a licensed surgeon, a licensed psychiatrist and a licensed osteopath in surgery and obstetrics).
A graduate of the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in Westbury, N.Y., Dr. Russo-DeMara is the latter.
“I appreciate the nomination to serve on the board, especially at this critical time of reforming the health care system in our state,” Dr. Russo-DeMara said of the honor of being appointed. “I am highly motivated to use my medical and administrative knowledge to help improve the quality of health care for all of us in Vermont.”
A quasi-judicial body, the Board of Health licenses, and is the authority that maintains licensing standards for, hospitals, emergency medical services, and food and lodging establishments. It also serves as an appeals board in these matters. The board meets as needed, which is usually four times a year.
Dr. Russo-DeMara has a background in leadership. She was chairwoman of Gifford’s ob/gyn and midwifery department from 2005-2010. She serves on Gifford’s Medical Executive Committee as vice president of the Medical Staff. Prior to joining the Randolph medical center was president and co-founder of a private practice from 1990-2005 and medical director of two clinic programs in New Jersey. In total, she has more than 20 years of experience.
Dr. Russo-DeMara lives in Sharon with her husband, also an obstetrician/gynecologist, and their four children.
She provides women’s care at Gifford and soon will be seeing patients at Gifford’s White River Junction health center, the Twin River Health Center.