ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced the retirement of Howard County Health Department (HCHD) Health Officer Dr. Maura Rossman, effective end of October. Photos from Dr. Rossman’s retirement celebration can be found on Howard County Government’s Flickr website.
Dr. Rossman has built an exemplary public service career marked by distinguished leadership, a steadfast commitment to public health, and a lasting impact on the communities she has served, We are forever grateful to her for her extraordinary service, steady leadership, and deep commitment to public health. Dr. Rossman’s work has strengthened Howard County’s health system in lasting ways that will continue to benefit our residents and community members for years to come. We wish her all the best in her well‑earned retirement.
Dr. Rossman joined HCHD in June 2007 as its Medical Director and brought with her two decades of medical and public health experience to our community. Prior to working for HCHD, Dr. Rossman spent a decade working in academic pediatrics and as a neurodevelopmental specialist and then a decade as Baltimore City Health Department's Medical Director of School Health.
Following her stint as HCHD’s Medical Director, Dr. Rossman served as the department's Deputy Health Officer of Clinical Services, before being appointed Howard County’s Health Officer in 2012 following the departure of Dr. Peter Beilenson.
During her tenure as Health Officer, Dr. Rossman lead HCHD through several public health emergencies, including Zika, Ebola, the opioid epidemic, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, she also oversaw the launch of several award-winning programs, including:
- School‑Based Wellness Centers (2013);
- CAREAPP (2016);
- Behavioral Health Peer Recovery Support Program (2016);
- Suicide Prevention Program – It’s OK to Ask (2019);
- P.E.A.C.E. Project (2023); and
- Howard County Food Council (2025)
Under her guidance, HCHD achieved national Public Health Accreditation by the Public Health Accreditation Board in 2019 and earned reaccreditation in November 2025. Moreover, for all her work, Dr. Rossman was named Marylander of the Year by The Baltimore Sun and awarded the Maryland Assembly on School-Based Health Care's Lifetime Achievement Apple Award and Community Action Council of Howard County's Holland Humanitarian Award. Dr. Rossman was also appointed by Governor Wes Moore to serve on Maryland's new Commission on Public Health in 2023.
It’s been an incredible career journey marked by so much success. I want to thank County Executives Ulman, Kittleman, and Ball, who trusted me and our public health team to improve the lives of those in our community. Our achievements were only possible through strong partnerships with County Government, Howard County Medical Center, HCPSS, and our local nonprofit organizations. Many thanks to the Maryland Department of Health and to the Health Secretaries whose steadfast support and guidance have been invaluable in navigating the evolving challenges of public health over the past 20 years. Lastly, my success was truly driven by the staff of the HCHD—a highly dedicated and spirited group of public health professionals.
With Dr. Rossman’s departure, Antigone R. Vickery, MPH, has been named Interim Health Officer. Ms. Vickery has served as HCHD’s Deputy Health Officer since 2015 and has extensive experience in public health systems, emergency preparedness, and community health improvement.
Prior to joining HCHD, Ms. Vickery led community health planning and emergency response initiatives for Anne Arundel County’s Department of Health and before that, oversaw the advancement of health systems at the national level following the events of September 11, 2001. She holds a Master of Public Health in Health Systems Management from Tulane University and a Bachelor of Science in Community Health from the University of Maryland.
“Dr. Rossman’s leadership has helped shape public health in Howard County for over 12 years through navigating public health challenges and establishing innovative programs that improves the lives of many,” said Vickery. “I have enormous respect for the work she and the department’s staff have accomplished. Our department has a strong team of professionals committed to the health and well-being of Howard County residents. I look forward to working alongside them and our community partners to sustain that momentum and ensure the department continues to meet the needs of the community.”