Milwaukee Common Council Appoints Patricia McManus As Interim Health Commissioner

The Milwaukee Common Council appointed Patricia McManus as interim commissioner of the city’s health department Tuesday. The agency had been without a leader since January when then-commissioner Bevan Baker resigned.

Baker was under scrutiny for his management of the city’s lead abatement program.

Without a commissioner, the department could not hire or fire any employees — a problem for the lead abatement program that is understaffed and needs to hire more people, according to an internal audit released last week.

During her lengthy questioning Tuesday, McManus addressed the report and what it could mean for the department at large.

“I’m not confident that a lot of these same behaviors or inadequacies are not in other areas of the health department as well,” McManus said.

But she added she would not make any immediate organizational changes if confirmed.

“One of the first things that I’m going to do is have a meeting with the staff, with the leadership first and then with the staff,” McManus said. “Explain what’s going on, you know, have them speak, just like I got a chance to speak here. I think you have to do that.”

McManus said her doctorate education in urban studies with an emphasis in health and human service systems made her qualified for the position.

McManus was nominated by common council President Ashanti Hamilton, but several members of the common council said her name was suggested by members of their districts as well.

She will be taking a leave of absence as CEO of the Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin — an organization that promotes health among African American communities — while she heads the health department.

The health department has a budget of about $21 million, a significant increase from the estimated $300,000 budget McManus said she currently oversees.

Several members of the Milwaukee Common Council expressed concerns over the speed of McManus’ nomination, but she was confirmed 13-1 with one council member abstaining.

Although her appointment is meant to be temporary, McManus could end up serving as health commissioner until the end of Mayor Tom Barrett’s term if his permanent pick isn’t approved.

Barrett withdrew his original nomination for interim commissioner on Monday because he couldn’t get the backing of enough common council members.

The search for a permanent department head will remain open through the end of February.

Also on Tuesday, the common council voted to issue a request for proposals for an external audit of the health department.

McManus said she supports both an external and federal investigation.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018 to include additional reporting from WPR.