Deidre Spelliscy Gifford
Commissioner of the Office of Health Strategy (OHS)
Deidre Spelliscy Gifford, MD, MPH, is the Commissioner of the Office of Health Strategy (OHS) and Senior Advisor to the Governor for Health and Human Services (HHS). An obstetrician and gynecologist trained in Public Health and Health Services, her background includes healthcare quality improvement and payment reform initiatives in both the public and private sectors at the state and national levels.
From 2019 to 2023, Gifford led the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS). She also worked closely with the Office of the Governor to develop the state’s response to COVID-19 as Acting Commissioner at the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH).
Before joining the State of Connecticut, Gifford was Deputy Director of the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and held leadership positions in Rhode Island and at the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD).
Gifford received her medical degree from Cornell University Medical College in New York. She trained in obstetrics and gynecology and received her Master of Public Health degree (epidemiology) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
A Message from the Commissioner
I am honored to work with a creative and talented team of people at OHS, colleagues in state government, stakeholders from all sectors, healthcare consumers, and elected officials to transform and improve our healthcare systems so that we can all enjoy better health. That is the goal we pursue every day.
I hope you find helpful information on this website. We invite your ideas, questions, and perspective. Please attend our public meetings, sign up for our emails, or contact us at ohs@ct.gov.
Thank you,
Deidre Gifford, MD, MPH Commissioner, Office of Health Strategy Senior Advisor to the Governor for Health and Human Services