Trenton fills health director vacancy after months of waiting
TRENTON » The city has a new health director.
Adela M. Ames-Lopez, a former director at the state Department of Children and Families, assumes the role this week, the mayor’s office said Tuesday.
She has more than two decades of experience in the areas of social work and public health and administration.
Council must approve Ames-Lopez’s appointment in the next 90 days.
Mayor Reed Gusciora in a statement called Ames
Lopez a “tremendous asset” who will help steer the city through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Her extensive experience in providing critical resources for socially and economically disadvantaged youth and their families makes her a natural fit for the challenges we face every day,” Gusciora said.
Ames-Lopez was tapped as the replacement for Shakira Abdul-Ali, who left for another position in October.
The directorship remained vacant since Abdul-Ali’s departure, although business administrator Adam Cruz handled some responsibilities while city officials searched for a successor.
Ames-Lopez, once an adjunct professor at Fairleigh Dickenson, oversaw more than 500 employees in her role as assistant area DCF director of Hunterdon, Mercer, Somerset and Warren counties.
Officials said she’s experienced with providing services to the disabled, juvenile offenders, people suffering from mental health and addiction and domestic and sexual abuse victims.
Ames-Lopez said Trentonians will remain at the “vortex of” her mission to provide “effective services through strategic innovation, cost-effective measures, and evidence-based outcomes.”