Bevan K. Baker, former Milwaukee Commissioner of Health.
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Content referencing Bevan K. Baker
Meeting Over Police Pursuits Results in Tears, Barbs and a Walk Out
MPD chief of staff walks out of meeting, chides alderman for bad behavior.
Oct 2nd, 2025 by Jeramey Jannene
Dr. T Confirmed As Health Commissioner
Michael Totoraitis is the new leader of city health department.
May 9th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
New Health Commissioner Wins Key Approval
Michael Totoraitis says he's commited to providing long-term, strategic leadership.
Apr 27th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Mayor Names New Health Commissioner
Michael Totoraitis will lead department, subject to council confirmation.
Apr 19th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee Health Commissioner Resigns
Kirsten Johnson resigns after two years on job. New commissioner will be sixth in six years.
Jan 10th, 2023 by Jeramey Jannene
Lead Program Investigation Closed Without Criminal Charges
But investigation confirms program was mismanaged.
Mar 24th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Health Commissioner Says Lead Crisis is Top Priority
Commissioner Johnson said she can fix department's troubled lead program.
Jul 22nd, 2021 by Matt Martinez
Update Expected Soon on Criminal Investigation Into Health Department
City officials and council members want to know status of DOJ, Milwaukee County DA investigation.
Jul 16th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Anger and Frustration With Milwaukee’s Lead Program
Even the Milwaukee Health Department doesn't like what's happened since 2018.
Jul 15th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Milwaukee’s Lead Program Fails Again
Scale of problem currently limited to one family in Bay View, but full review planned.
Jun 17th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Biden Plan Is a Lead Pipe Cinch
His infrastructure proposal could provide enough funding to replace all lead pipes in Milwaukee.
Apr 14th, 2021 by Dan Shafer
Fired Deputy Health Commissioner Questions Her Ouster
Dr. Griselle Torres was one of two department leaders fired when Commissioner Kirsten Johnson took over.
Mar 26th, 2021 by Matt Martinez
Leadership Shakeup at Health Department
Two top officials pushed out by new city Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson.
Mar 13th, 2021 by Matt Martinez
State Says Health Department Needs Improvement Plan
MHD is in trouble, but the blame goes back four commissioners.
Feb 12th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
New City Health Commissioner Approved
Kirsten Johnson's appointment sails through council.
Feb 10th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Health Commissioner Says She Faced Racism, Sexism
"A constant power struggle from Day One," says outgoing commissioner Jeanette Kowalik.
Sep 8th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
White City Worker Wins Racial Bias Payout
Health department employee's claims involve former interim commissioner Patricia McManus.
Apr 15th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Former Health Director Blames Barrett
Bevan Baker breaks his silence, slams Mayor and other city departments.
Dec 24th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Health Department Probe a State Matter
Criminal investigation taken over by Department of Justice, city officials say.
Nov 14th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Feds Award $5.6 Million for Lead Abatement
42-month grant can be used for paint and soil abatement in affected homes.
Oct 1st, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Outside Firm Auditing City’s Lead Program
Expert hired by Comptroller doing audit council originally wanted done by May 2018.
Jul 29th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Protects Tenants Seeking Lead Hazard Remedies
Ordinance prohibits evictions of tenants seeking advice or service for lead hazards.
Jul 11th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Board of Health Appointments Sail Through
Public Safety & Health Committee approves Barrett's appointments, chastises Barrett for not creating board earlier
Jun 27th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Barrett Appoints First Board of Health
City's first health oversight board is proposed to be filled almost entirely with women.
Jun 24th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Chisholm Confirms Health Department Probe
DA says months-long investigation of how lead abatement program was handled continues.
Apr 24th, 2019 by Edgar Mendez
DA Asked To Consider Charging City Officials
Hamilton, Donovan ask Chisholm to review top officials' actions on lead program problems.
Apr 22nd, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Barrett Blasted on Infant Mortality Grant
African-American led organizations say Mayor, Kowalik killed their effort to get grant.
Apr 16th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Kowalik Reshaping Health Department
Commissioner reorganizing troubled, 254-person agency, first such effort in 10 years.
Apr 11th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Approves Civilian Health Oversight Board
In the wake of health department's critical failures, mayor and council want more oversight.
Feb 5th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Lead-Free Homes a Priority for Kowalik
But “we don’t have enough contractors,” city’s new health commissioner says.
Jan 17th, 2019 by Corrinne Hess
Forum Examines Lead Poisoning Prevention
Solutions? Issue of lead paint vs lead pipes still debated.
Nov 30th, 2018 by Abby Ng
Doctors “Pumping Pills on the Streets”?
The City-County heroin and opioid task force should be investigating the role of physicians.
Nov 13th, 2018 by Paul Mozina
Health Department Faces Criminal Probe
Spat between Hamilton and Zielinski reveals DA investigating and Baker hiring lawyer.
Oct 24th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Was Barrett Asleep on Health Department?
Problems may go back a decade and mayor deserves much blame, some alderman say.
Oct 2nd, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
Baker To Testify Before Common Council
110 pages of text messages show ex-Health Department head knew about lead problems.
Sep 14th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Okays New Health Commissioner
Unanimous vote hands Jeanette Kowalik one of the most difficult jobs in city government.
Sep 5th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Health Commissioner Pick Gets First Approval
Kowalik wins unanimous vote from committee, interim commissioner reveals ongoing issues.
Sep 4th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
City-County Plan Targets Opioid Epidemic
300 opioid overdoses in county last year. Task force proposes eight focus areas.
May 22nd, 2018 by Edgar Mendez
Why Fire-Police Chief Was Axed
FPC botched police chief search and nice guy Mayor Barrett decided to get tough.
Apr 24th, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
McManus Lays Out Three Priorities for Health Department
Baker issues a statement defending his actions. Are city hospitals going to close?
Feb 23rd, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Mayor Allows Interim Health Leader
Returns file to the council unsigned, opens door to approval of McManus.
Feb 15th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Will Mayor Confirm Health Commissioner?
Newly-appointed Patricia McManus still needs confirmation.
Feb 14th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
HUD Halts City Lead Treatment Program
Barrett requested review; temporary stop work order cites possible lead hazards.
Feb 12th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Mayor Barrett’s Power in Decline?
Council taking more power, mayor taking a beating.
Feb 8th, 2018 by Bruce Murphy
Council Appoints McManus Interim Health Leader
She'll be interim commissioner. Says city's failure to send letters about lead was "deliberate."
Feb 6th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Barrett Withdraws Nannis Nomination
Interim Health Dept leader at issue, as City Hall infighting hits new highs.
Feb 5th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
City Report Finds Health Dept. Problems
Records missing for 30 homes with lead problems. Funding, staff reductions an issue.
Jan 30th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Could Reject Interim Health Leader
Eight aldermen question legality of Nannis appointment to run Health Department.
Jan 30th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Responds to Lead Crisis
Following Health Dept fallout, nine bills introduced to address lead poisoning issues.
Jan 23rd, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Grills Mayor, City Health Staff
Tense meeting with unprecedented scrutiny of mayor and few answers from staff.
Jan 17th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Council Launches Health Dept. Probe
In wake of Bevan Baker's ouster, council investigating Barrett administration decisions.
Jan 17th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Barrett Ousts Bevan Baker Over Lead Fiasco
Failure to notify families of lead-poisoned children at issue; aldermen outraged.
Jan 12th, 2018 by Jeramey Jannene
Drug-Related Deaths To Hit 420 in 2017
Police targeting opioid suppliers. City-County Task Force struggles to hold meetings.
Dec 21st, 2017 by Edgar Mendez
Common Council Strengthens Lead Standards
But Health Department leaders contend it doesn't really change how they operate.
Dec 5th, 2017 by Jabril Faraj
Poverty Driving Epidemic of Childhood Trauma
Particularly potent in Milwaukee, with 40% of children below poverty line, experts note.
Nov 21st, 2017 by Jabril Faraj
Long Awaited Safety Plan Gets Attacked
A blueprint for change or too vague and hard to understand? Council members wrangle.
Nov 20th, 2017 by Jeramey Jannene
Advocates Push City On Lead Pipes
City may not know which homes own lead laterals, which action to take.
Oct 25th, 2017 by Jabril Faraj
Lead Poisoning a “Public Health Crisis”
Health Department official says lead laterals must be replaced, but resources lacking.
Jul 19th, 2017 by Jabril Faraj
Men’s Group Takes on Sex Trafficking
Raising awareness of problem at local barber shops.
Jul 6th, 2017 by Andrea Waxman
Toy Guns Risky for Black Families?
Annual walk spotlights danger of kids with toy guns encountering police.
Jun 7th, 2017 by Lydia Slattery
A Call for Clean Water
Community leaders push city to rid Milwaukee's water of lead.
May 6th, 2017 by Jabril Faraj
Campaign Urges Breast Cancer Checkups
Black, Hispanic women have lower survival rates, should seek care sooner.
Mar 7th, 2017 by Brandon Anderegg
State Drags Feet On Lead-Tainted Water
Its program underfunds Milwaukee while pushing for upgrades that residents can't afford.
May 3rd, 2016 by Bruce Murphy
Madison Replaced All Lead Pipes
Nation's first city to do so, at cost of $19.4 million, can Milwaukee follow suit?
Feb 3rd, 2016 by Silke Schmidt
Watching Over the City’s Health
Health Commissioner Bevan Baker has had success, but says much more is needed.
Jan 25th, 2016 by Jack Fennimore
Sherman Park Residents Decry Vacant Properties
Issue dominates town hall meeting held by Ald. Russell Stamper
Nov 5th, 2015 by Marlita Annette Bevenue
Closing of MU’s Neighborhood Health Center Lamented
Marquette-run, near north side center had 500 clients, many struggling to find health care.
Jul 10th, 2015 by Devi Shastri
Barrett’s Birthday Party
The mayor's celebration is 11 days late. And Lakefront Brewery shatters its record for annual barrels manufactured.
Dec 22nd, 2013 by Michael Horne
City and Churches Campaign for Safe Sleeping
Renewed effort targets co-sleeping, which causes 20% of infant deaths.
Oct 22nd, 2013 by Tom Momberg
Targeting Black Infant Mortality
Despite disagreements, groups working on problem are making progress.
Sep 26th, 2013 by Rick Brown
