Bevan K. Baker

Dr. T Confirmed As Health Commissioner

Michael Totoraitis is the new leader of city health department.

New Health Commissioner Wins Key Approval

Michael Totoraitis says he's commited to providing long-term, strategic leadership.

Mayor Names New Health Commissioner

Michael Totoraitis will lead department, subject to council confirmation.

Milwaukee Health Commissioner Resigns

Kirsten Johnson resigns after two years on job. New commissioner will be sixth in six years.

Lead Program Investigation Closed Without Criminal Charges

But investigation confirms program was mismanaged.

Health Commissioner Says Lead Crisis is Top Priority

Commissioner Johnson said she can fix department's troubled lead program.

Update Expected Soon on Criminal Investigation Into Health Department

City officials and council members want to know status of DOJ, Milwaukee County DA investigation.

Anger and Frustration With Milwaukee’s Lead Program

Even the Milwaukee Health Department doesn't like what's happened since 2018.

Milwaukee’s Lead Program Fails Again

Scale of problem currently limited to one family in Bay View, but full review planned.

Biden Plan Is a Lead Pipe Cinch

His infrastructure proposal could provide enough funding to replace all lead pipes in Milwaukee.

Fired Deputy Health Commissioner Questions Her Ouster

Dr. Griselle Torres was one of two department leaders fired when Commissioner Kirsten Johnson took over.

Leadership Shakeup at Health Department

Two top officials pushed out by new city Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson.

State Says Health Department Needs Improvement Plan

MHD is in trouble, but the blame goes back four commissioners.

New City Health Commissioner Approved

Kirsten Johnson's appointment sails through council.

Health Commissioner Says She Faced Racism, Sexism

"A constant power struggle from Day One," says outgoing commissioner Jeanette Kowalik.

White City Worker Wins Racial Bias Payout

Health department employee's claims involve former interim commissioner Patricia McManus.

Former Health Director Blames Barrett

Bevan Baker breaks his silence, slams Mayor and other city departments.

Statement of Bevan K. Baker

Statement provided to media on December 23rd, 2019

Health Department Probe a State Matter

Criminal investigation taken over by Department of Justice, city officials say.

Feds Award $5.6 Million for Lead Abatement

42-month grant can be used for paint and soil abatement in affected homes.

Outside Firm Auditing City’s Lead Program

Expert hired by Comptroller doing audit council originally wanted done by May 2018.

Council Protects Tenants Seeking Lead Hazard Remedies

Ordinance prohibits evictions of tenants seeking advice or service for lead hazards.

Board of Health Appointments Sail Through

Public Safety & Health Committee approves Barrett's appointments, chastises Barrett for not creating board earlier

Barrett Appoints First Board of Health

City's first health oversight board is proposed to be filled almost entirely with women.

Chisholm Confirms Health Department Probe

DA says months-long investigation of how lead abatement program was handled continues.

DA Asked To Consider Charging City Officials

Hamilton, Donovan ask Chisholm to review top officials' actions on lead program problems.

Barrett Blasted on Infant Mortality Grant

African-American led organizations say Mayor, Kowalik killed their effort to get grant.

Kowalik Reshaping Health Department

Commissioner reorganizing troubled, 254-person agency, first such effort in 10 years.

Council Approves Civilian Health Oversight Board

In the wake of health department's critical failures, mayor and council want more oversight.

Lead-Free Homes a Priority for Kowalik

But “we don’t have enough contractors,” city’s new health commissioner says.

Forum Examines Lead Poisoning Prevention

Solutions? Issue of lead paint vs lead pipes still debated.

Doctors “Pumping Pills on the Streets”?

The City-County heroin and opioid task force should be investigating the role of physicians.

Health Department Faces Criminal Probe

Spat between Hamilton and Zielinski reveals DA investigating and Baker hiring lawyer.

Letter from Pres. Hamilton to Ald. Zielinski

"So, as your leader, I ask that you excuse yourself from the table where the hard decisions are being made or I, by God’s will, will excuse you…again."

Citizens deserve to hear from Bevan Baker in public proceeding

Statement of Alderman Tony Zielinski - October 22, 2018

Was Barrett Asleep on Health Department?

Problems may go back a decade and mayor deserves much blame, some alderman say.

Baker To Testify Before Common Council

110 pages of text messages show ex-Health Department head knew about lead problems.

Council Okays New Health Commissioner

Unanimous vote hands Jeanette Kowalik one of the most difficult jobs in city government.

Health Commissioner Pick Gets First Approval

Kowalik wins unanimous vote from committee, interim commissioner reveals ongoing issues.

Aldermen urge further interviews in Health Department investigation

News release from Alderman Bob Donovan and Alderman Mark A. Borkowski

Council approves creation of special deputy health commissioner position

News release from Alderman Tony Zielinski

City-County Plan Targets Opioid Epidemic

300 opioid overdoses in county last year. Task force proposes eight focus areas.

Why Fire-Police Chief Was Axed

FPC botched police chief search and nice guy Mayor Barrett decided to get tough.

McManus Lays Out Three Priorities for Health Department

Baker issues a statement defending his actions. Are city hospitals going to close?

Mayor Allows Interim Health Leader

Returns file to the council unsigned, opens door to approval of McManus.

Will Mayor Confirm Health Commissioner?

Newly-appointed Patricia McManus still needs confirmation.

HUD Halts City Lead Treatment Program

Barrett requested review; temporary stop work order cites possible lead hazards.

Mayor Barrett’s Power in Decline?

Council taking more power, mayor taking a beating.

Council Appoints McManus Interim Health Leader

She'll be interim commissioner. Says city's failure to send letters about lead was "deliberate."

Barrett Withdraws Nannis Nomination

Interim Health Dept leader at issue, as City Hall infighting hits new highs.

City Report Finds Health Dept. Problems

Records missing for 30 homes with lead problems. Funding, staff reductions an issue.

Council Could Reject Interim Health Leader

Eight aldermen question legality of Nannis appointment to run Health Department.

Council Responds to Lead Crisis

Following Health Dept fallout, nine bills introduced to address lead poisoning issues.

Council Grills Mayor, City Health Staff

Tense meeting with unprecedented scrutiny of mayor and few answers from staff.

Council Launches Health Dept. Probe

In wake of Bevan Baker's ouster, council investigating Barrett administration decisions.

Commissioner Baker’s departure leaves us all with many, many questions

Statement from Alderman Bob Donovan - January 16, 2018

Barrett Ousts Bevan Baker Over Lead Fiasco

Failure to notify families of lead-poisoned children at issue; aldermen outraged.

Freshwater For Life Action Coalition (FLAC) to Hold Press Conference After Announcement Of Firing Health Commissioner Bevan Baker

"...What FLAC wants to hear is when is the City going to release data regarding lead blood testing of Milwaukee infants..."

Drug-Related Deaths To Hit 420 in 2017

Police targeting opioid suppliers. City-County Task Force struggles to hold meetings.

Common Council Strengthens Lead Standards

But Health Department leaders contend it doesn't really change how they operate.

Poverty Driving Epidemic of Childhood Trauma

Particularly potent in Milwaukee, with 40% of children below poverty line, experts note.

Long Awaited Safety Plan Gets Attacked

A blueprint for change or too vague and hard to understand? Council members wrangle.

Advocates Push City On Lead Pipes

City may not know which homes own lead laterals, which action to take.

Lead Poisoning a “Public Health Crisis”

Health Department official says lead laterals must be replaced, but resources lacking.

Men’s Group Takes on Sex Trafficking

Raising awareness of problem at local barber shops.

Toy Guns Risky for Black Families?

Annual walk spotlights danger of kids with toy guns encountering police.

A Call for Clean Water

Community leaders push city to rid Milwaukee's water of lead.

Milwaukee Stands with Planned Parenthood

The gathering comes the day before the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act and block Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid reimbursements.

Campaign Urges Breast Cancer Checkups

Black, Hispanic women have lower survival rates, should seek care sooner.

Medical Society of Milwaukee Announces 2017 Award Winners

Health Commissioner Bevan K. Baker among recipients; Annual event proceeds to benefit Meta House

Milwaukee Public Schools releases results of water quality testing

The sampling began in June 2016 and two independent, state-certified firms conducted the analysis.

Mayor Barrett Encourages Residents to Familiarize Themselves with Cold Weather Safety Information

Proper precautions are necessary to stay safe and healthy all season long

Drug mail-in initiative will make it easy to dispose of unused meds

Multifaceted first-of-its-kind in the nation city partnership aimed at opioid and heroin epidemic; includes CVS Pharmacy, MMSD, City of Cudahy, DOJ, DEA, US Bank and USPS

Mayor Barrett Launches Violence Prevention Planning Process

Comprehensive planning process aimed at reducing violence, guiding citywide investment begins

Final session in series of special Public Safety Committee meetings set for Monday

The effort is part of a larger Common Council initiative to engage community members, civic leaders and police in combatting the epidemic of criminal activity in the City of Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Homicide Review Commission Releases 2016 Mid-Year Report

Report presents analysis of 2016 homicides and non-fatal shootings in the first half of the year

State Drags Feet On Lead-Tainted Water

Its program underfunds Milwaukee while pushing for upgrades that residents can't afford.

Mayor Barrett Appoints New Director of the Office of Violence Prevention

Reggie Moore to lead efforts to address root causes of violence, build communitywide response

Contribution to Tom Barrett of $100

Madison Replaced All Lead Pipes

Nation's first city to do so, at cost of $19.4 million, can Milwaukee follow suit?

Watching Over the City’s Health

Health Commissioner Bevan Baker has had success, but says much more is needed.

Greater Milwaukee Foundation to honor community leaders Nov. 12

The awards will be presented Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Foundation’s annual Lunch with the President event.

Sherman Park Residents Decry Vacant Properties

Issue dominates town hall meeting held by Ald. Russell Stamper

Contribution to Tom Barrett of $25

Closing of MU’s Neighborhood Health Center Lamented

Marquette-run, near north side center had 500 clients, many struggling to find health care.

Second annual Walk-A-Thon at Siefert School Tuesday

Siefert Elementary School’s Second Annual Walk-A-Thon will take place tomorrow (Tuesday, April 28, 2015) from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Infrastructure Improvements at Milwaukee’s Linnwood Water Treatment Plant

Water safe to consume and use during construction as filtration and disinfection processes remain in place

Regional Symposium on Heroin/Opiates Addiction is Wednesday

Southeast Wisconsin Regional Heroin/Opiates Symposium will be held on Wednesday, June 4.

Barrett’s Birthday Party

The mayor's celebration is 11 days late. And Lakefront Brewery shatters its record for annual barrels manufactured.

City and Churches Campaign for Safe Sleeping

Renewed effort targets co-sleeping, which causes 20% of infant deaths.

Targeting Black Infant Mortality

Despite disagreements, groups working on problem are making progress.

Milwaukee Area Sees Decrease in Flu-Related Emergency Department Visits

City of Milwaukee Health Department continues to monitor seasonal flu activity and urges residents to help prevent the spread of flu

Flu Activity Increasing in City of Milwaukee

City of Milwaukee Health Department urges residents to protect their health as seasonal flu activity remains widespread

Mayor Barrett Announces 6.8% Drop in Teen Births

Through outreach and education efforts, city announces progress in meeting 2015 goal.

Mayor Barrett to Mark Second Annual Safe Sleep Sabbath

City of Milwaukee partners with local faith communities to reduce infant deaths.

City of Milwaukee Health Department partners with businesses, community groups to give children a healthy start to the school year

The event is part of Milwaukee Child Health Week, which runs August 10-17 and is designed to promote the importance of access to a medical provider and encourage parents to assure basic health services for children, including immunizations.