The man called a “hero” by the Maryland Daily Record for, among other things, his implementation of the Healthy Howard Health Plan, is stepping down from his position as Howard County health officer.

But Peter Beilenson is staying in the health care industry; he will be assuming the CEO role of the state’s first health care co-op, Evergreen Health Cooperative, made possible by a provision in the Affordable Care Act.

Evergreen's start-up costs were funded by a $65 million federal loan secured by Beilenson and a group of collaborators including County Executive Ken Ulman.

“Peter is one of the most innovative public health leaders not only here in Maryland but across the nation,” Ulman said in a statement. “I am looking forward to continuing our partnership as he moves forward with Evergreen.” 

Ulman said he will be nominating Maura Rossman to step into the Health Officer role. Rossman has been the Health Department’s medical director since 2007 and has been serving as the deputy health officer of clinical services for the past two years. As of Tuesday, Rossman is acting health officer, Ulman said.

“While Peter will be missed,” Ulman said in the statement, “Dr. Rossman has been an integral part of our Health Department and has forged meaningful partnerships at local and state levels, and most importantly with the community.”

“I am excited and honored by this opportunity,” Rossman said in a statement. “It is a privilege to live and work in a progressive county that supports public health infrastructure and initiatives for all Howard County residents and serves as a model for other communities.”

Beilenson served as the Baltimore City health officer for 13 years before coming to Howard County five and a half years ago. During his tenure, he and Ulman created the Healthy Howard Health Plan, which gave uninsured Howard County residents access to health care.

Beilenson led the group that formed the Evergreen Health Cooperative. According to the Baltimore Sun, Evergreen will be the state’s first non-profit health cooperative.

The cooperative will be made up of clinics staffed by a primary care doctor, a nurse practitioner, health coach, social worker, care coordinator and receptionist.

“As I have said many times, it has been a pleasure working for an elected official like Executive Ulman who puts so much time, energy and political will into making public health issues a priority,” Beilenson said in a statement.  “I will miss this job tremendously."

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