County Executive Molinaro Announces Resignation of Commissioner of Health
Dr. Kari Reiber to Serve as Interim Commissioner

Poughkeepsie, NY… Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro has announced Commissioner of Health, Michael C. Caldwell MD, MPH, is stepping down as the Dutchess County Health Commissioner after nearly nineteen years of service in order pursue other opportunities in public health and health care outside of government.   Dr. Caldwell’s resignation is effective Friday, June 28th.

County Executive Molinaro said, “We are grateful to Dr. Caldwell for his dedicated service to the residents of Dutchess County.  We wish him success in his future endeavors.”

County Executive Molinaro has named Dr. Kari Reiber to serve as Interim Commissioner of Health.   Dr. Reiber has served the County for the last ten years as Chief Medical Examiner as a key member of the Department of Health’s senior management team.    Dr. Reiber modernized the County’s Medical Examiner Program, utilizing the most  up to date medical and forensic science techniques. Under Dr. Reiber’s leadership, the Dutchess County Medical Examiner’s Program has been widely recognized throughout the state and nation.   Last year, Dr. Reiber was one of the key coordinators of the Mass Fatality Management Response System Training held at the Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response campus. The event was the largest of its kind to take place in the nation.   

Before coming to Dutchess County Government, Dr. Reiber served as the Acting Deputy Chief Medical Examiner in New York City, assigned to Queens County.  During her tenure in New York City, she was involved with the public health investigative efforts in relation to numerous events including attacks at the World Trade Center, both in 1993 and 2001 as well as the crash of American Airlines Flight 587 in Queens in November 2001.   Dr. Reiber is Board Certified in Forensic Pathology and in Anatomic Pathology. She is a member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the National Association of Medical Examiners, and the New York State Association of County Coroners and Medical Examiners.

Most recently, Dr. Reiber has overseen the development of the new Medical Examiner Office facility that is underway at 170 Washington Street in Poughkeepsie. The new facility is expected to open in July.

Dr. Reiber said:  “The greater purpose of the medical examiner’s office is to promote public health and safety.   As Chief Medical Examiner, I have worked to ensure the health and safety of our community by identifying undiagnosed diseases and mortality trends as well as investigating preventable accidental deaths. As interim Commissioner. I welcome the opportunity to use my medical expertise and leadership skills to continue that public health mission and direct the efforts of all divisions of the Department of Health, as well as work more closely with other departments of County Government to better serve the residents of Dutchess County”.    

“Dr. Reiber has been an integral part of the Dutchess County Department of Health for the last decade and we know we can count on her leadership to move the Health Department forward to respond to the ever evolving public health needs of our community.   I am excited about this next chapter for Dutchess County and the overall health of our community,” said County Executive Molinaro.