House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi has announced that Rep. Susan Donovan will serve as chairwoman of the House Health and Human Services Committee, which deliberates matters relating to the health care system, human services and children and families.

A retired public school teacher who spent much of her career teaching Physical Education, public health has always been a priority for Donovan, a Democrat who serves constituents in Bristol and Portsmouth’s 69th district. Donovan earned the 2007 Governor’s Award for Wellness Innovation in the school category and in 2008, she was named Bristol Warren Teacher of the Year. She has also worked as an education consultant at the Brown University Institute of Community Health Promotion.

Since joining the House of Representatives, she has served on the House Health and Human Services Committee, which was known as the Health, Education and Welfare Committee until 2021. Most recently, she served as the committee’s second vice chairwoman.

Much of Donovan’s legislative work has been within the areas of health and human services. In 2021, she was the sponsor of a law that boosts the use of electronic medical records and another to allow patients to protect their privacy by having their health care mailings directed to themselves instead of a spouse or parent. She has sponsored or cosponsored numerous bills to improve the lives of children and families, including a law to help ensure effectiveness of Child Opportunity Zones and another that bans conversion therapy for minors.​ She backs many measures to help seniors, including a new law that streamlines the SNAP application process for those 60 and older.

“I am very eager to lead the work of a committee that has the ability to make profound, positive differences in the lives and wellbeing of every Rhode Islander. We are fortunate to have a very dedicated committee of representatives with a wide-ranging experience within the realms of health and human services. I look forward to the interesting and enlightening exploration of ideas we will undertake together this year to improve public health and services,” said Donovan.

“I got to know Susan really well in 2021 when I worked with her in passing the very significant pay equity legislation that she sponsored. I admired her tenacity and her ability to work with others to achieve a positive outcome,” said Shekarchi. “Susan was the vice chair of the Health and Human Services Committee for the past two years and did a great job when she was called upon to chair the meetings. She enjoys my full confidence that she will lead the committee in the same collaborative style. She is familiar with all the committee’s issues and is respectful of everyone. I am proud to make this appointment.”

Donovan will continue to serve as a member of the Education Committee, which considers matters related to education; the House Oversight Committee, which reviews the operation and efficiency of various state departments and agencies; and the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, which handles all legislation impacting the lives of Rhode Island veterans and those currently in military service.

“To say I’m excited would be an understatement,” said Donovan.