Rhode Island Health Director Alexander-Scott to make $46,000 per month as state consultant
Rhode Island Health Director Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott will make $46,000 per month as a consultant to the state starting in March, according to a copy of her contract released Monday.
Alexander-Scott gave two weeks' notice on Jan. 13 that she was stepping down as state health director, a position she has held since April 2015, but would stay on to advise the state as a consultant.
She is now one of the many potential candidates considering a run for Congress following the surprise announcement last week that U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin won't seek reelection.
“My focus right now is on the many important issues before [the Department of Health,] and assisting with the department’s leadership transition so [the Department of Health] is set up for both short- and long-term success," Alexander-Scott said in an email. "I’m currently weighing a number of different options for after I step away from the department that would allow me to continue working to give all people and all communities an equal opportunity to be healthy and thrive.”
In the announcement of her resignation, Alexander-Scott said she intended to use a month of compensatory time after her final two weeks on the job.
Previous coverage: Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott resigns as Rhode Island health director
Deputy director resigns: RI Department of Health's deputy director tenders resignation to an outgoing director
Her consultancy is set to begin on March 1, according to a copy of her "transition services agreement" with the state, and last for three months, ending May 31. As an independent contractor, she will be responsible for all expenses connected with her consulting work.
"The state is in the midst of two significant public health concerns: the COVID-19 epidemic and the merger of its two largest hospital systems," the transition services agreement says. "As an infectious disease specialist and former director of [the Rhode Island Department of Health], consultant has extensive experience in both disease prevention and control and in assuring a safe, accessible and affordable health-care system for the state."
Rhode Island Health Department: 'Steep learning curve' awaits next Health Department head, says former director Fine
Related: McKee names panel to help pick next health director; here's who's on it
The agreement says Alexander-Scott will provide the state advice "and such other services as deemed necessary" regarding the proposed merger of hospital owners Lifespan and Care New England.
Alexander-Scott's annual salary as health director is $143,000.
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COVID by the numbers
Cases in R.I.: 332,961 (5,852 reported Monday)
Negative tests in R.I.: 6,763,516 (32,088 reported Monday; 15.4% positive rate)
R.I. COVID-related deaths: 3,253 (13 reported Monday)
Rhode Islanders hospitalized with COVID: 452 (37 in intensive care)
Fully vaccinated in R.I.: 799,077 (921,040 at least partially vaccinated)
Cases in Mass.: 1,535,986
Mass. COVID-related deaths: 21,402
Cases in U.S.: 71,104,963
U.S. COVID-related deaths: 867,287
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott to make $46,000 a month as consultant to RI
