2005 News

October 19, 2005
Commissioners Hire New Health Director

The Bucks County Commissioners today unanimously appointed Eleanor M. Travers, MD, MHA, Bucks
County Health Director, effective Nov. 1.

"Dr. Travers brings an extraordinary background of education, experience and public service to county government. We are very pleased she accepted this position and look forward to her many contributions," said Commissioner Chairman Charles H. Martin.

The former Public Health Science Bureau Chief of the Connecticut Department of Health has extensive leadership experience in the public health field, including bureau and institution management, policy and planning, terrorism and disaster preparedness, patient safety and health education.

Her resume also lists expertise in public affairs and communication, finance, accounting, staff management, IS and databases, federal and state procedures and standards, budgets, government relations and funding regulatory compliance.

Dr. Travers has held leadership positions with federal and state governments and private institutions. Previously, she served as Public Health Science Bureau Chief for the Connecticut Department of Health and Deputy Director and Director, Patient Safety Center, U.S. Department of Defense, Military Health System, and Washington, D.C.

"We welcome Dr. Travers to county government. She has an impressive resume and, undoubtedly, will be an asset to an already outstanding health department," said Commissioner Sandra A. Miller.

Commissioner James F. Cawley, Esq., added, "I couldn't be more pleased. Bucks County is fortunate to have found a health director with such wonderful academic and professional credentials. Dr. Travers is uniquely qualified for this important position."

A graduate of Boston University, Dr. Travers earned a medical degree at the Medical College of Pennsylvania and a master's degree in health care administration from George Washington University. She served an internship in hospital administration at Johns Hopkins Health System.

Dr. Travers began her career at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia as Chief, Laboratory Medicine and Acting Chief, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; Associate Pathologist, the William Pepper Laboratory of Clinical Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; Hahnemann University Hospital, Medical Director, Division of Blood Bank and Transplantation Immunology.

Also, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Medical Director, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; Director and Deputy Director, Patient Safety Center, U.S. Department of Defense, Military Health System, Washington, D.C., and Connecticut Department of Health, Bureau Chief, Public Health Science.

Dr. Travers is the recipient of numerous awards and honors for her work in research, military medicine and public health and is licensed to practice medicine in Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut. In addition, she has written five medical management textbooks, 40 medical and management journal articles, two public laws and software for diagnostic test appropriateness.

Among her other noteworthy achievements is implementing a "hospitals without walls" outreach program with 10 primary care outreach clinics, creating a homeless shelter for 93 persons by converting an unused hospital building into a residence, providing jobs, health care and counseling, and actively promoting blood donor programs for the largest Philadelphia blood bank and the American Red Cross. She also is a Red Cross board member.

Dr. Travers fills the position held for 17 years by Lewis Polk, MD, MPH, who retired in October 2003. Her annual salary is $108,756.

Today's bimonthly commissioners' meeting was held at the Churchville Nature Center, Churchville.