New Milford health director leaves post for job with state

NEW MILFORD — Lisa Morrissey, who held the position of health director of the Housatonic Valley Health District for almost a year, left Friday to become deputy commissioner with the state Department of Public Health.

In addition to serving as director of health for HVHD, she was director of health for New Milford for nearly two years, as well as Danbury's and Bridgeport's health director.

“She'll definitely be missed within the district, but I'm a very big believer in opportunity,” said New Milford Mayor Pete Bass, “and she has an opportunity to impact health statewide versus regional and the town, and we look forward to working with her.”

Bass said Morrissey helped set up COVID-19 vaccine clinics in town in tandem with flu vaccine clinics.

He commended Morrissey's work in helping the town navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, from providing COVID-19 guidance and requirements to the town's business community to working with the town's senior center to promote senior wellness.

Fred D'Amico, chair of the Housatonic Valley Health District board of directors, said Morrissey helped merge the towns of New Milford and Washington into the health district. He said the district was comprised of the towns of Southbury, Oxford and Woodbury before adding New Milford and Washington.

D'Amico said Morrissey had suggested getting New Milford and Washington to join the health district because she said “the larger the district, the easier it is to get additional funding from the state and each town can share different services.”

“I think she'll do a fantastic job,” D'Amico said of Morrissey's new post as deputy commissioner. “It's a fairly big job and it's probably the best move she can do.”

D'Amico said the Housatonic Valley Health District will be doing a second round of interviews for director of health candidates on Monday morning. He said the district should hopefully have a replacement in a week.