Julie Arel, former director of the Division of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in the Vermont Department of Health, has been promoted to deputy commissioner of the department, effective Aug 1. She will serve alongside fellow Deputy Commissioner Kelly Dougherty.
“We are fortunate to have someone with Julie’s expertise and commitment to public health join our leadership team,” said Commissioner Mark Levine, MD. “I value her counsel and have high regard for the critical and wonderful work she and her staff do for Vermonters every day.”
As division director, Arel has been responsible for overseeing programs and initiatives ranging from tobacco control and chronic disease prevention to worksite wellness. In that role, she led the establishment of the health department’s signature chronic disease-prevention initiative, 3-4-50.
Before joining the Health Department, Arel served as executive director at Open Door Clinic in Middlebury, Parent to Parent of Vermont and Vermont Family Network, and the New England Rural Health Roundtable. She is a graduate of Smith College and holds masters’ degrees in social work and in public health from Boston University.
“I’m honored to be able to serve the people of Vermont in this role,” Arel said. “Public health has the power to impact climate change, build healthy communities, change the trajectory of a pandemic and ultimately save lives. I’m excited to be a part of the department during this pivotal time in our work.”