Dr. Rick Hildebrant • Commissioner of Health

Dr. Rick Hildebrant was appointed Commissioner of Health by Governor Phil Scott and began service on October 13, 2025. Before his appointment, he served in several leadership roles at Rutland Regional Medical Center, including Chief Medical Information Officer, Chair of Medicine, and Medical Director of Hospital Medicine. He has also served on multiple boards, including as Chair of the Vermont Board of Medical Practice.

Dr. Hildebrant earned his Doctor of Medicine from Drexel University College of Medicine and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst Isenberg School of Management. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Vermont’s Larner College of Medicine.

As a practicing internal medicine hospitalist, Dr. Hildebrant has seen firsthand how social and environmental factors shape the health of Vermonters. This experience led him to pursue population health initiatives that address the broader needs of patients and communities. He is inspired by the collaborative work of nurses, public health professionals, administrators, allied health staff, policymakers, and physicians who share the goal of improving the health of Vermont communities.

As an experienced physician leader, Dr. Hildebrant has seen how science, technology and strong relationships can be leveraged to improve health outcomes. He is committed to advancing Vermont’s public health priorities through data-driven decision-making, cross-sector collaboration, and evidence-based policy. He is honored to lead the talented team at the Department of Health to ensure Vermont remains among the healthiest states in the nation.

Vermont Health Commissioners 1890 - 2016

Health Commissioner

2017 - 2025  • Mark Levine, MD

2011 - 2017 • Harry Chen, MD

2008 - 2011 • Wendy Davis, MD

2006 - 2008 • Sharon Moffatt, RN, BSN, MSN

2003 - 2006 • Paul Jarris, MD, MBA

1989 - 2003 • Jan Carney, MD, MPH

1982 - 1989 • Roberta Coffin, MD

1978 - 1982 • Lloyd Novick, MD, MPH

1976 - 1978 • Marshall McBean, MSc, MD

1973 - 1976 • Anthony Robbins, MD, MPA

1949 - 1973 • Robert Aiken, MD, MPH

Board of Health Secretary

1946 - 1949 • Robert Aiken, MD, MPH 

1918 - 1946 • Charles Dalton, MD 

1890 - 1918 • Charles Caverly, MD 

Julie Arel

Julie Arel • Deputy Health Commissioner

Julie Arel was appointed deputy commissioner in July of 2022. She served as interim commissioner of health in April through mid-October 2025, following the retirement of Dr. Mark Levine. 

Arel served for eight years as director of the Health Department’s Division of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. She also was the section chief managing the operational aspects of the department’s COVID-19 pandemic emergency response.

Before joining the department, Deputy Commissioner Arel had been the executive director for 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 earned Masters’ degrees in social work and in public health from Boston University.

 

US-dougherty-kelly-201901.jpg

Kelly Dougherty • Deputy Health Commissioner

Kelly Dougherty was appointed deputy commissioner in February 2019.

Dougherty has extensive experience in the public health, health care and social service fields through professional roles in hospitals, state government and non-profit organizations. She holds masters’ degrees in social work and in public health, both from the University of Pittsburgh. In her graduate studies, her focus was on social policy, administration and maternal and child health.

Prior to her appointment, Dougherty served as executive director of Steps to End Domestic Violence, a prevention and advocacy organization dedicated to helping those who have been affected by domestic violence achieve safety and independence.

Her appointment marks a return to the Vermont Department of Health, where she served from 2000 to 2008 in various roles in Local Health as well as with the Blueprint for Health.

 

Helen Reid headshot

Helen Reid • Interim Deputy Health Commissioner

Helen Reid has been with the Department of Health since 2016, first as division director of Health Surveillance and more recently as division director of Laboratory Science and Infectious Disease. During the pandemic, Helen not only managed her usual role but also volunteered to fill the role of public health lab director, where she stabilized the State’s response to COVID-19 testing. 

She has also been involved in leading multi-department efforts to stand up respite housing and is capitalizing on the COVID collaboration to deepen the public relationship with the Department of Corrections. Prior to working at the Health Department, Reid served as the Vice President of Health Center Operations for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England.

Last Updated: