Health director Shakira AbdulAli stepping down
TRENTON » The exodus continues.
Another member of the mayor’s cabinet is leaving to “pursue other professional opportunities,” the mayor’s office confirmed.
The Trentonian earlier this week asked Mayor Reed Gusciora about the rumored departure of Shakira Abdul-Ali, the director of health and human services.
His office sent out a news release Thursday confirming her intention to step down Oct. 2.
Abdul-Ali’s resignation was announced less than a week after it was learned that fire director Derrick Sawyer was resigning, effective Sept. 18.
Along with Sawyer, Abdul-Ali joins Dr. Shing-Fu Hsueh and former police director Carol Russell as cabinet members who have left the Gusciora administration.
Russell’s departure was forced by council, which refused to confirm her nomination.
Abdul-Ali did not respond to an emailed request for comment. In a statement, she called her time as capital city health director “a tremendous honor.”
“I’m proud of what this administration has achieved in the last two years, and I’m thankful to have worked with a wonderful staff and countless community groups and advocates who fight for Trenton every day,” she said.
Former Health Director James Brownlee, who retired in July 2018, is rejoining the city while officials conduct a national search for Abdul-Ali’s replacement.
Brownlee has more than 30 years in public health management, and served under mayors Tony Mack and Eric Jackson. He was previously an assistant commissioner for the state Department of Health and Senior Services.
Abdul-Ali, a longtime city resident, is leaving two days shy of her two-year anniversary of being confirmed by council. She was the second of Gusciora’s cabinet members approved by legislators who did little questioning before voting 7-0 for her nomination.
Abdul-Ali was among the city officials who helped guide the response to the COVID-19 crisis.
She was involved in coordinating efforts to open overflow homeless shelters for those without a place to stay during the pandemic.
Abdul-Ali seemed somewhat demoralized after a crook stole a dozen mounted 40-inch flatscreen TVs from inside the Coordinated Entry Assessment Center, one of the overflow centers on the 500 block of Perry Street.
The TVs were donated by HomeFront NJ in Lawrence.
“I know people are desperate, but you just can’t” do this, Abdul-Ali said at the time.
Gusciora also applauded the director’s efforts to combat youth homelessness, expand health services in Trenton schools and launch “Resilient Trenton!”
The campaign partners 22 agencies with ensuring the capital city becomes trauma-informed by 2024.
“Director Abdul-Ali has been a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable members of our community who struggle with poverty, healthcare, addiction, homelessness, and trauma from violence,” Gusciora said in a statement. “We wish her the very best in her future pursuits.