October 23, 2012 – In mid-August, Dr. Mitchell Kushner, pictured at left, started his work with the Long Beach Health Department as the city’s new health officer. “I’m pleased to begin work as the Health Officer for Long Beach, a city where I have lived for many years, and where I hope to build on the excellent reputation of the Health Department,” Dr. Kushner said in a statement. In his new role, Dr. Kushner will have oversight of clinical services, maintain promotion of public health goals, and raise awareness of public health issues and communicable disease control. Prior to his new position in Long Beach, Dr. Kushner worked with the L.A. County Department of Public Health for nine years, most recently as the medical director in the community health services department. He holds a medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, a master’s degree in public health from UCLA and a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University in New Orleans. “I welcome Dr. Kushner to the public health family in Long Beach,” Ron Arias, health department director, said in a statement. “Our team is very happy to have Dr. Kushner aboard to assist in meeting the public health mission locally and making Long Beach a healthier place to live, work and play.” (Photograph by the Business Journal’s Thomas McConville)