Monica Bharel

{{short description|Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health}}{{use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}

Monica Bharel was the commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, appointed in February 2015. On May 27, 2021, Bharel announced she will be stepping down effective June 18. Bharel is an associate professor of medicine at Boston University.{{cite web |title=A Bigger Examining Room |url=https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/magazine/magazine_article/a-bigger-examining-room/ |website=Harvard School of Public Health |date=December 20, 2016 |access-date=27 May 2021}}{{Cite web |last=Republican |first=Mary C. Serreze {{!}} Special to The |date=2015-04-13 |title=Mass. DPH chief Monica Bharel: 'Work smarter, not harder' to solve public health crises |url=https://www.masslive.com/politics/2015/04/dph_chief_monica_bharel_data_e.html |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=masslive |language=en}}{{cite news |title=Mass. Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel Leaving Role After 6 Years |url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/05/27/mass-public-health-commissioner-monica-bharel-to-step-down |work=WBUR News |date=May 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110173623/https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/05/27/mass-public-health-commissioner-monica-bharel-to-step-down |archive-date=November 10, 2021}}{{cite news | date=May 27, 2021 |title=Massachusetts Health Commissioner Monica Bharel Stepping Down |url=https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/massachusetts-health-commissioner-monica-bharel-stepping-down/2391815/ |access-date=27 May 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619073654/https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/massachusetts-health-commissioner-monica-bharel-stepping-down/2391815/ | archive-date=June 19, 2021 |work=NBC Boston}}{{Cite web |title=Massachusetts Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel To Step Down In June |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/monica-bharel-massachusetts-public-health-commissioner-step-down-june/ |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=www.cbsnews.com |date=May 27, 2021 |language=en-US}}

She earned her medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine and completed her residency in internal medicine at Boston City Hospital/Boston Medical Center. She received her master of public health degree through the Commonwealth Fund/Harvard University Fellowship in Minority Health Policy.{{cite news| last=Lazar | first= Kay | title=Doctor for Poor to Lead Health Agency: Baker's Choice Known for Working with Homeless, Vulnerable in State | work= Boston Globe |date=Dec 24, 2014 | issn=0743-1791 | via=Clarivate |id={{ProQuest|1639853329}}}}{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Katie Lannan State House News |title=Her roots are grounded in Mass. health care |url=https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/lifestyle/health-fitness/2020/03/20/her-roots-are-grounded-in/1490804007/ |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=MetroWest Daily News |language=en-US}}

She practiced general internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Medical Center and the Veterans Administration. She taught at Harvard Medical School, Boston University School of Medicine, and Harvard School of Public Health. Bharel was a leader in the creation of the Public Health Data Warehouse in 2017, as part of the newly created Office of Population Health. Immediately before becoming commissioner, she served as the chief medical officer of Boston Health Care for the Homeless.{{cite news|last=Kowalczyk | first=Liz | title= Reaching Out AND Cutting Costs: Nonprofit Aims to Keep Poor and Homeless Women Healthier while Streamlining Treatment | work= Boston Globe|via=Clarivate | issn=0743-1791 | date=October 14, 2013 | id={{ ProQuest|1441631180}} }}{{cite journal| date=August 2022 | orig-date= May 31, 2022 | volume=28 | page= 101847 | doi=10.1016/j.pmedr.2022.101847 | title=The Massachusetts public health data warehouse and the opioid epidemic: A qualitative study of perceived strengths and limitations for advancing research | pmc=9166413 | journal=Preventive Medicine Reports |

pmid=35669857 | first1=Elizabeth A. | last1=Evans | first2=Elizabeth | last2=Delorme | first3= Karl D. | last3= Cyr | first4= Kimberley H. | last4= Geissler}}{{cite news| last=Kaufman |first=Amanda | title= Mass. Department of Public Health Commissioner to Step Down | work=Boston Globe (Online) | date= May 27, 2021 |via=Clarivate | issn=0743-1791 | id={{ ProQuest|2532560106}}}}{{Cite web |title=Outside the Box: Monica Bharel of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/print-edition/2014/05/09/outside-the-box-monica-bharel-of-boston-health.html |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=www.bizjournals.com}}{{Cite web |last=Lazar |first=Kay |title=Doctor for poor chosen as Mass. health commissioner - The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/massachusetts/2014/12/24/physician-who-champions-health-care-for-homeless-chosen-massachusetts-health-commissioner/NOcjO7ikwlEcddBM3gn7QK/story.html |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=BostonGlobe.com |language=en-US}}

In 2022, Bharel was honored by Massachusetts Medical Society with its Special Award for Excellence in Medical Service and Woman Physician Leadership.{{Cite web |title=Massachusetts Medical Society: Dr. Monica Bharel honored by Massachusetts Medical Society with its Special Award for Excellence in Medical Service and Woman Physician Leadership |url=https://www.massmed.org/News/Press-Releases/Dr--Monica-Bharel-honored-by-Massachusetts-Medical-Society--with-its-Special-Award-for-Excellence-in-Medical-Service-and-Woman-Physician-Leadership/ |access-date=2023-04-20 |website=www.massmed.org}}