Mayor announce Dr. Marquita C. Williams a longtime DBHIDS executive in mental health will serve as interim lead
PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Cherelle L. Parker has appointed Dr. Marquita C. Williams as her choice to head the City’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services (DBHIDS) as Interim Commissioner effective April 16, 2024. This appointment comes as Dr. Jill Bowen, DBHIDS commissioner since 2020, steps down to take a governor-appointed position in the state of Vermont.
Prior to accepting this interim appointment, Dr. Williams served as the senior executive advisor to Dr. Bowen. In this capacity she was responsible for creating and coordinating opportunities for direct dialogue between organizations, government and community stakeholders, provider groups, providers, academic institutions, and the community at large to ensure all voices are reflected in the policies, practices and behavioral health wellness programming across the system. Her efforts created opportunities to bring new voices to the table, ensuring that everyone could participate and inform the work of DBHIDS.
“We are so pleased and thankful that Dr. Marquita Williams has stepped up to serve as interim Commissioner of DBHIDS after the departure of Dr. Jill Bowen, who has been a tremendous leader throughout her tenure with the City and we thank her,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “I have deep respect for Dr. Williams’ work for the City over the years. I know she will help as our critical advisor as we continue to build out the new action plan strategies at DBHIDS.”
Formerly, Dr. Williams was the Deputy Commissioner of DBHIDS and was also Senior Advisor at Community Behavioral Health (CBH). She provided leadership for the DBHIDS service system including identifying system goals, priorities, creating innovative solutions to address departmental priorities. In this role, Dr. Williams also provided direct oversight for the programmatic visioning, planning, and operationalizing of the City’s public health vision for Philadelphia’s Comprehensive Child and Adult Behavioral Health System, which included daily operational and programming oversight and monitoring for the departments six priority units.
“Stepping in the role of interim Commissioner for DBHIDS is an honor and a privilege. I am committed to fostering continuity for the department, our providers and our community,” said Dr. Marquita Williams, DBHIDS Interim Commissioner. “I look forward to supporting Mayor Parker’s vision and ensuring the health and well-being of all Philadelphians.”