UPPER MARLBORO, MD - Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III announced that Betty Hager Francis will serve as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health, Human Services, and Education.  In addition, Pamela Brown Creekmur has been appointed as interim Acting County Health Officer.  

“I am pleased to announce the newest members of the Baker Administration - Betty Hager Francis, who also served as Interim Director of the Department of Housing & Community Development when I first took office.  Also coming on board, in an interim role while we complete the selection process for County Health Officer, is Pamela Brown Creekmur,” stated Baker.  “The health and welfare of our residents is a top priority of my administration.   From promoting better health practices to making sure that our County is protecting our most vulnerable citizens, we must have comprehensive health and human services policies and practices.   I am confident that Betty Hager Francis and Pamela Brown Creekmur will help me create a healthier Prince George’s County and enhance my Administration’s health, human services, and education goals.”

In her new position, Ms. Francis will provide oversight to the County’s public health and human services agencies, including the Health Department, the Department of Family Services, and the Department of Social Services.   She will also be the County Executive’s liaison to the Board of Education, Prince George’s Community College, the Memorial Library System, and the Hospital Authority.  Ms. Francis’ appointment is exempt from County Council confirmation.

Bradford Seamon, who previously served in this position, will now serve as the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Budget, Finance and Administration.

Ms. Creekmur will be responsible for managing the Prince George’s County Health Department and providing leadership and coordination of health services for County residents until the selection process for the County Health Officer is completed.  Permanent appointment of the County Health Officer must be confirmed by the County Council.

Biographies of Ms. Francis and Ms. Creekmur:

Betty Hager Francis’ extensive executive management career spans over two decades, having previously served for almost ten years in Prince George’s County Government as the Director of the Department of Public Works and Transportation.  Previously, she had been appointed as Associate Director of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works by former Governor Michael Dukakis and by former Mayor Sharon Pratt as Director of Public Works in Washington, DC.  In 2005, Ms. Francis founded Hager Management Group LCC, a management consulting firm specializing in business development, organizational management, and community outreach.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree (cum laude) from Howard University and her Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University Law School in Boston.  Ms. Francis currently serves on the board of directors of the Maryland Aviation Commission and the Community Foundation of Prince George’s County and served on the board of directors of the Family Crisis Center of Prince George’s County, Inc.

Pamela Brown Creekmur’s professional senior health care management career spans over 20 years in healthcare, facility management and business operations.  She previously served as Director of Surgical Services for Kaiser Permanente at the Silver Spring location and also held medical administrator positions with Kaiser in Largo. She was responsible for the overall management of a multi-specialty medical center (HMO) with over 350 employees and physicians.  Ms. Creekmur graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Howard University.  In addition, she is a candidate for a Master’s of Science in Health Care Administration (anticipated degree 2013) from the University of Maryland University College.