Debra Powell, MD, has been named Medical Director, Infection Prevention, effective Monday, July 10. Dr. Powell previously served as Chief, Section of Infectious Diseases.
She capably assumes the position previously held by Robert Jones, DO, who left Reading Health System on Friday, July 7, to pursue a new career with Quest Diagnostics in Chantilly, Virginia.
Dr. Powell joined Reading Health in July 2008 and is a provider with Reading Health Physician Network - Infectious Diseases. She currently serves on numerous committees within the health system, including the Reading Hospital Internal Medicine Education Council, Reading Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Committee, Reading Hospital Sepsis Team, Reading Health System Professional Practice Evaluation Committee, Reading Health System Sepsis Clinical Effectiveness Team, Reading Health Physician Network Quality Improvement Committee, and Reading Health System Infection Control Committee.
Together with Dr. Jones, Dr. Powell has co-hosted a "Good Thyme for Life" event that raised donations for Co-County Wellness Services, which provides prevention services and compassionate care to meet individual and community needs related to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Dr. Powell is a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, American College of Physicians, Executive Council of the Berks County Medical Society, Pennsylvania Medical Society, American Medical Association, National Registry of Microbiologists and American Society for Microbiology.
She completed a two-year Fellowship in Infectious Diseases from Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, following a three-year internship with Reading Hospital. She earned her medical degree from The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine in Hershey, Pa., and a Masters of Science degree in Clinical Microbiology from MCP Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia.
Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 714-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.