In her professional role, Ursula Bauer is the deputy commissioner for public health at the New York State Department of Health, where she directs the Office of Public Health. OPH works to address chronic diseases, infectious diseases, injuries, environmental health, maternal, child and family health, and other areas of public health concern.
Prior to joining NYSDOH in August 2021, she served as senior advisor to the U.S. Surgeon General. There she worked to advance partnership strategies to increase investment in communities and led the development of Community Health and Economic Prosperity: Engaging Businesses as Stewards and Stakeholders—A Report of the Surgeon General. Prior to joining the Surgeon General’s Office in 2018, Ursula directed the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for eight-and-a-half years. At CDC, she established two Tribal Health programs, Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country, and Tribal Practices for Wellness.
Ursula held leadership positions in state health departments in Louisiana, Florida, and New York, and has a PhD in Epidemiology from Yale University, an MPH in Family Health from Columbia University, and a master’s degree in political science from Rutgers University.