{"id":12170,"date":"2025-05-16T22:16:26","date_gmt":"2025-05-17T03:16:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/?page_id=12170"},"modified":"2025-06-12T00:15:34","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T05:15:34","slug":"drrattay","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/drrattay\/","title":{"rendered":"drrattay ~  Director&#8217;s Page  &#8211; Delaware Health and Social Services &#8211; State of Delaware"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\">[vc_row][vc_column][vc_wp_text]\r\n<div data-swiftype-index=\"true\">\r\n<div id=\"main_header\" class=\"container\"><!-- BEGIN readspeaker div -->\r\n<div id=\"readspeaker_button1\" class=\"rs_skip rsbtn rs_preserve mega_toggle\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"rsbtn_tooltoggle\" data-rsshortcut=\"menu\" data-rslang=\"title\/arialabel:menu\" title=\"webReader menu\" aria-label=\"webReader menu\" aria-expanded=\"false\" data-rs-tooltip=\".\" data-rs-direction=\"u\" data-rs-container=\"readspeaker_button1\" data-rsevent-id=\"rs_313188\" style=\"display: none;\"><span class=\"rsicn rsicn-arrow-down\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><a class=\"rsbtn_play\" title=\"Listen to this page using ReadSpeaker\" href=\"https:\/\/app-na.readspeaker.com\/cgi-bin\/rsent?customerid=7262&amp;lang=en_us&amp;readid=main_content&amp;url=\/dph\/drrattay.html\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Listen\" data-rs-tooltip=\".\" data-rs-direction=\"u\" aria-haspopup=\"menu\" data-rsshortcut=\"play\" data-rs-lang=\"en_us\"><span class=\"rsbtn_left rsimg rspart\"><span class=\"rsbtn_text\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span>Listen<\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"rsbtn_right rsimg rsplay rspart\"><\/span><\/a><\/div>\r\n<!-- END readspeaker div -->\r\n\r\n<header class=\"pull-left\">\r\n<h1><!--[type=EDIT name=\"Page Title\"]-->Director&#8217;s Page<!--[END]--><\/h1>\r\n<\/header><\/div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div class=\"container\">\r\n<div class=\"row\">\r\n<div id=\"leftCol\" class=\"col-md-3\">\r\n<div id=\"accordion\" class=\"panel-group\">\r\n<div class=\"panel sectionmenu_panel\">\r\n<div class=\"panel-heading\">\r\n<p class=\"panel-title\"><a class=\"agency_nav\" href=\"#collapseOne\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#accordion\"><strong><i class=\"fa fa-align-justify fa-fw\"><\/i> Public Health Menu<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"collapseOne\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse in\">\r\n<div id=\"clf_nav\" class=\"panel-body\">\r\n<ul id=\"agency_sidebar\" class=\"nav nav-stacked nav-pills-clf\">\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/\"><h2>Home <i class=\"fa fa-home fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2><\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"toplevel\">\r\n<a data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#agency_sidebar\" href=\"#HomeMenu\">\r\n                      <h2>About <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2>\r\n                    <\/a>\r\n<ul id=\"HomeMenu\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\">\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/about.html\">About DPH<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/sections.html\">Sections &amp; Programs<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/ofclocations.html\">Office Locations<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/contact.html\">Contact Info<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/calendars.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Calendar<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"toplevel\">\r\n<a data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#sidebar\" href=\"#ServicesMenu\">\r\n                      <h2>Services <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2>\r\n                    <\/a>\r\n<ul id=\"ServicesMenu\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\">\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/servicesaz.html\">A-Z Services<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/environmental.html\">Air &amp; Water Quality<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/ss\/vitalstats.html\">Birth, Death, &amp; Marriage Records<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/clinics.html\">Clinics<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthdatastats.html\">Health Data &amp; Statistics<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/php\/emsps.html\">Emergency Preparedness<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthandwellness.html\">Health &amp; Wellness<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/healthyhomes.html\">Healthy Homes<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/healthywp.html\">Healthy Workplaces<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/lab\/labs.html\">Laboratory<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/hsp\/feir.html\">Restaurant Inspections<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/screen.html\">Screening and Testing<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/chca\/dphwichominf01.html\">WIC<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/servicesadd.html\">Additional Services<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"toplevel\">\r\n<a data-toggle=\"collapse\" data-parent=\"#sidebar\" href=\"#InformationMenu\">\r\n                      <h2>Information <i class=\"fa fa-caret-right fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2>\r\n                    <\/a>\r\n<ul id=\"InformationMenu\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\">\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/factsheetsaz.html\">A-Z Fact Sheets<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/pubreportsaz.html\">A-Z Publications &amp; Reports<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/diseasesandconditions.html\">Diseases &amp; Conditions<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/faq.html\">FAQ&#8217;s<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/php\/alerts.html\">Health Alerts<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/healthylifestyles.html\">Healthy Lifestyles<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/hipaa.html\">HIPAA<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/regs.html\">Regulations<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/forms.html\">Request Forms<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"\/dph\/links.html\">Links &amp; Resources<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li><a href=\"http:\/\/delaware.gov\/help\/foia_request.shtml\">FOIA Request Form<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<a id=\"SocialMenuHeader\">\r\n                      <h2>Connect <i class=\"fa fa-thumbs-o-up fa-fw\"><\/i><\/h2>\r\n                    <\/a>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li class=\"facebook\"><a title=\"Division of Public Health Facebook Page\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/DEPublicHealth\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i class=\"fa fa-facebook-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Facebook<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"twitter\"><a title=\"Delaware Health and Social Services Twitter Account\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Delaware_DHSS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i class=\"fa fa-twitter-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Twitter<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<!--\r\n \t<li class=\"googleplus\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-google-plus-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Google +<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"flickr\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-flickr fa-lg\"><\/i> Flickr<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"youtube\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-youtube-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Youtube<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"instagram\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-instagram fa-lg\"><\/i> Instagram<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"linkedin\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-linkedin-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Linkedin<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"pinterest\"><a href=\"#\"><i class=\"fa fa-pinterest-square fa-lg\"><\/i> Pinterest<\/a><\/li>\r\n--><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div id=\"main_content\" class=\"col-md-9\"><!--[type=HTMLEDIT name=\"Content\"]--><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-thumbnail img-responsive pull-right\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/05\/blessing.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of Steve Blessing, DPH Director\" \/>\r\n\r\n<strong>Steven Blessing<\/strong>\u00a0is the director of the Division of Public Health (DPH).\r\n\r\nHe previously served as Interim DPH Division Director since September 2023. He was named DPH Deputy Director in October 2022. For 29 years, Director Blessing has served DPH in various leadership positions, including Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Director, Paramedic Administrator, and Executive Assistant to the Director. During his 12 years as Chief of the Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness Section, he led the development and expansion of response capacity for health and natural disasters. During the COVID-19 response, Director Blessing managed the State Health Operations Center (SHOC) and was the Incident Commander in the final phases. He also managed the SHOC during Hurricanes Sandy and Irene, the Ebola crisis, and other emergencies.\r\n\r\nDirector Blessing was elected by his peers as President of the National Association of State EMS Officials from 2008 to 2010. He participated in a number of meaningful projects at the state and national levels. Director Blessing is a former U.S. Army officer and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Delaware and a Master&#8217;s degree in Business from Webster University.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe Division of Public Health is a large and multifaceted agency, staffed with incredibly talented and dedicated professionals,\u201d Director Blessing said. \u201cIt is a great honor to have this opportunity to lead at such a critical time and meet the challenges of improving the overall health status and well-being of people in Delaware.\u201d\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"leadershipteam.html\">Division of Public Health Leadership Team<\/a>\r\n\r\n<!--[END]-->\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<!-- \/container -->\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<!-- E N D M A I N C O N T E N T -->\r\n[\/vc_wp_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_wp_text] Listen Director&#8217;s Page &nbsp; Public Health Menu Home About About DPH Sections &amp; Programs Office Locations Contact Info Calendar Services A-Z Services Air &amp; Water Quality Birth, Death, &amp; Marriage Records Clinics Health Data &amp; Statistics Emergency Preparedness Health &amp; Wellness Healthy Homes Healthy Workplaces Laboratory Restaurant Inspections Screening and Testing WIC Additional Services [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-12170","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12170"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12170\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12497,"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12170\/revisions\/12497"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dhss.delaware.gov\/dph\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}