DC names new director of health department

A health care consultant has been named the new health director in the District of Columbia.

Mayor Vincent Gray announced on Wednesday that he has appointed Joxel Garcia as the new director, saying he has substantial experience in health care and working in multicultural fields.

Garcia is the founding partner of two health-care consultant firms, Faunus Global and Aegis Health Security. Previously, he was the president and dean of medicine at the Ponce School of Medicine and Health in Puerto Rico.

He is scheduled to start his position as director on Aug. 1. He will replace interim director Saul Levin, who left the department to become the CEO and director of the American Psychological Association.