Gov. Christie appointed Assistant Commissioner Christopher Rinn as acting commissioner of the Department of Health. The Governor also thanked outgoing Commissioner Cathleen Bennett for her service to the state.

“During Commissioner Bennett’s tenure, the Department achieved public health accreditation, opened adoption records dating back to the 1940s, coordinated health policies across eight Departments through the Population Health Action Team, funded pediatric autism medical homes and successfully integrated the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services into the agency from the Department of Human Services,” Gov. Christie said. “We will miss her expertise and wish her well as she moves on to become President and CEO of the New Jersey Hospital Association.”

Bennett’s successor, Rinn, joined DOH in 2010 as assistant commissioner of the Division of Public Health Infrastructure, Laboratories and Emergency Preparedness (PHILEP). He has more than 28 years of experience in public health, healthcare and emergency services. He coordinated the Department’s emergency response to Superstorm Sandy, Ebola, Super Bowl XLVIII and Pope Francis’ visit to the area.

He also managed the Office of Emergency Medical Services, the EMS Task Force, the Office of Local Public Health, the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Operations, and the Public Health and Environmental Laboratories. Prior to joining DOH, Rinn served as Jersey City Medical Center's executive director of emergency medical services and governmental affairs, and served as an EMT/Paramedic for six years.