The Virginia Department of Health appointed Dr. Stephen A.Haering as the new Alexandria Health Director, effective August 1, this week.Haering has served as the health director for the Lord Fairfax Health District(which includes Winchester and the surrounding area) since 2008.

Haeringisreplaces Dr. Lisa Kaplowitz, who left the Alexandria post to take a positionwith the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Haering is aboard-certified specialist in preventive medicine and general public health. Heearned an undergraduate degree in biology from Duke University, his Doctor ofMedicine from the University of Louisville School of Medicine, and his Masterof Public Health from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Between1998 and 2005, Dr. Haering has chaired numerous Mental Competency ExaminingCommittees, where he provided expert testimony to the courts and judgesregarding the disposition of individuals in various settings.

Hecompleted a preventive medicine residency at Johns Hopkins between 2005 and2007. After the completion of his residency Dr. Haering was named ChiefResident for the Preventive Medicine Residency for 2007-2008 at Johns Hopkins.