Berrien County has a new medical director. With current Director Rick Johansen retiring, the Berrien County Board of Commissioners on Thursday approved a contract with Spectrum Health Lakeland to bring on Dr. Rex B.G. Cabaltica to serve in the role. County Administrator Brian Dissette said he’ll still technically work for Lakeland.
“The contract that’s being proposed has Lakeland providing this individual to come and work at our health department, and as a reminder, this isn’t something we’re doing just because we want to. This is required by state law.”
Since the new director is contracted through Spectrum Health Lakeland, the county won’t have to pay for benefits. Born in the Philippines, Cabaltica advocates against implicit bias and racial disparities in healthcare. He’s been active in the practice of clinical medicine in surgery and family practice since 1992, and his career has taken him all over the world. He’s earned degrees from Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Public Health, and Cornell University.
