U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
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U.S. Department of Health & Human Services |
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Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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HHS Press Office |
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today named Richard M. Campanelli as the new director of the department's Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Campanelli will provide overall leadership of OCR's mission to promote and ensure that individuals have equal access and opportunity in all HHS programs, without facing unlawful discrimination. OCR also has responsibility for medical privacy issues.
"Rick Campanelli is a seasoned professional who will bring years of practical, hands-on experience to the HHS Office for Civil Rights," Secretary Thompson said. "With his experience, vision and belief in the civil rights mission, Rick will be an important member of the HHS team."
Campanelli began his law career as a trial attorney in the Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), investigating and litigating unconstitutional conditions at mental health institutions and prisons pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act. In addition, he participated in litigation on behalf of DOJ to eliminate race-based segregation in state prison systems.
Following his initial work at DOJ, Campanelli joined the South Africa Working Group at the U.S. Department of State, where he assisted in developing and implementing U.S. initiatives to end apartheid. From 1987 to 1989, he served as senior special assistant to the attorney general, including service as deputy chief of staff.
Campanelli has spent the past 13 years as an attorney at Gammon & Grange, PC, in McLean, Va., especially representing non-profit organizations. He has also served as adjunct professor at George Mason University, teaching non-profit law, governance and ethics in the university's department of public affairs.
Campanelli received a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Virginia and completed his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia Law School. Prior to entering law school, he directed a program in Vermont for at-risk youth.
He and his wife Shannon have three sons and live in Virginia.
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