“Jeff Brown is a tested public servant who has spent his career working to uplift New Jersey’s health care infrastructure, and I am thrilled that he will serve as Acting Commissioner of the Department of Health,” said Governor Murphy. “Through his advocacy and leadership, Jeff has played an important role in ensuring New Jerseyans have a trusted public health system and access to high-quality health care. I am confident that his experiences will serve him well at the helm of the Department of Health.”
“It is an honor to serve as Acting Commissioner of the Department of Health. I thank Governor Murphy for entrusting me with this position,” said Jeff Brown, incoming Health Commissioner. “I look forward to maintaining the Department’s commitment to protecting public health, improving the quality of health care, and supporting the delivery of critical services to promote healthy New Jersey communities.”
“It has been a true privilege to serve as Health Commissioner under the Murphy Administration. I am immensely proud of all that we have accomplished to create a healthier, more equitable state for all New Jerseyans,” said Kaitlan Baston, outgoing Health Commissioner. “I am confident this work will continue under Jeff Brown and the incredible leadership team at the Department of Health.”
Brown currently serves as the Deputy Commissioner of Health Systems at the New Jersey Department of Health, overseeing inspections and the enforcement of regulations for approximately 2,200 licensed New Jersey health care facilities; over 2,700 mental health and addiction services and programs; the Certificate of Need Program; the Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency; and major hospital funding programs such as Charity Care, Graduate Medical Education, and the Quality Improvement Performance Program.
Prior to becoming Deputy Commissioner, Brown served as the first Executive Director of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission, where he was responsible for organizational strategy, policy, and management of a new State commission, and as Assistant Commissioner for Medicinal Marijuana under the Department of Health. His work included expanding access to the medicinal marijuana program from 17,000 patients to more than 125,000 patients, leading and overseeing the first-ever comprehensive regulations to underpin New Jersey’s personal use cannabis industry, developing one of the most innovative laws and tax structures for cannabis sales in the country, and managing the regulatory oversight of a new billion-dollar industry.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Brown served as the Department of Health’s lead in establishing the Atlantic City Field Medical Site and was a member of the Department of Health’s COVID-19 testing task force.
Before his time at the Department of Health and the Cannabis Regulatory Commission, Brown worked extensively on the passage and implementation of the Affordable Care Act, particularly the creation of health insurance exchanges and the expansion of Medicaid. He also led an association of community-based providers to implement innovative new payment models in Medicaid and fought to expand access to health care in New Jersey’s urban communities by developing sustainable financing policies.
Brown grew up in Mercer County and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Rutgers University.
Jeff Brown has been named as the Acting Health Commissioner by the Murphy Administration in New Jersey. This appointment comes at a crucial time as the state continues to battle the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Brown brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as the Deputy Commissioner of Public Health Services at the New Jersey Department of Health. In this position, he played a key role in the state’s response to the pandemic, overseeing efforts to expand testing and contact tracing, as well as working to ensure that healthcare facilities had the resources they needed to care for patients.
In his new role as Acting Health Commissioner, Brown will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the state’s public health response, including vaccination distribution, testing, and contact tracing. He will also work closely with Governor Murphy and other state officials to develop and implement policies to help curb the spread of the virus and protect the health and safety of New Jersey residents.
Brown’s appointment has been met with praise from public health experts and officials, who have lauded his leadership and expertise in navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic. His experience and dedication to public health make him well-suited to lead the state’s efforts in combating COVID-19 and ensuring that New Jersey emerges from this crisis stronger than ever.
As Acting Health Commissioner, Brown will face a number of challenges, including ensuring equitable access to vaccines, addressing disparities in healthcare outcomes, and preparing for potential future outbreaks. However, with his proven track record of leadership and commitment to public health, there is no doubt that he is up to the task.
In conclusion, Jeff Brown’s appointment as Acting Health Commissioner by the Murphy Administration is a positive step forward in New Jersey’s fight against COVID-19. With his experience and dedication, he is well-equipped to lead the state’s public health response and help guide New Jersey through these challenging times.
