5Q: Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott

 / PBN PHOTO/MICAHEL SALERNO
/ PBN PHOTO/MICAHEL SALERNO

1 What’s been the biggest challenge for you since being named director of health?

Not having enough hours in the day. The breadth and scope of work at the department is extensive. I have enjoyed learning about all of the great work our programs do every day to ensure positive public health outcomes for Rhode Islanders.

2 What initiatives are you working on and how could they affect the health community?

My priorities include working to achieve health equity and eliminate health disparities, which means that everyone should have an equal opportunity to take advantage of resources and services that will help them live the healthiest life they can, regardless of income, education or ethnic background. In order to achieve this, we need to focus not just on health care, but on the social and environmental determinants of health, which include things like healthy, safe homes and communities, access to healthy food and outdoor spaces to exercise.

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3 What’s the status of the Department of Health’s Neighborhood Health Station initiative?

The leadership of the Neighborhood Health Station initiative has shifted to Central Falls. … I believe there is a space for this model in our health care system some years down the line, [but] the first step is to further develop patient-centered medical homes while continuing to work towards comprehensive health care reform.

4 Do you believe Rhode Island should stick with its limit of three medical-marijuana dispensaries?

Currently, legislation allows for three medical-marijuana dispensaries in the state. The compassion centers are still a relatively new venture for Rhode Island, but we do know that they provide FDA-approved product to patients, and the tax on the sale of medical-marijuana provides a source of revenue for the state. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the state’s medical-marijuana program and the demand of patients.

5 What do you plan to do differently from your predecessors to strengthen the Rhode Island health care industry?

I believe every director in this role, including myself, all have one important thing in common; an extreme passion for the mission of protecting and promoting the health of all Rhode Islanders. •

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