By Helen Bezuneh,
Special to the AFRO
Baltimore County’s Department of Health has announced that Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch, an internal medicine doctor, is no longer Baltimore County’s health officer.
The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has not provided a reason for Branch’s departure.
“As of March 4, 2024, Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch is no longer the Health Officer for Baltimore County and has departed County service,” the department said in a press release. “The Department and the County thank Dr. Branch for his service to the county and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Branch had occupied the role since 2006. He is a New York City-born, magna cum laude graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Branch trained at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in the William Osler Internal Medicine Residency Program.
Branch is nationally recognized as a certified physician executive and an internationally recognized fellow of the American College of Physicians.
Della Leister has been named the interim health officer and acting director. She has served as the deputy health officer for Baltimore County since 2010. Leister is a graduate of St. Joseph School of Nursing Diploma program and University of Maryland School of Nursing Bachelor’s in Nursing Program.
A search for the next Baltimore County Health Officer is in the works.
The Maryland Department of Health declined the AFRO’s request for further comment on this matter.
