Biographical Data for Karen Black



Karen Black has served as Director of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Office of Public Relations since July 1999.  In this capacity, she is responsible for communication strategies to support Maryland’s public health objectives and public health policy initiatives.  She provides communications support to the Secretary, senior Department officials and other key partners, and serves as a resource of information to the media and public. She oversees all media and public relations activities, including graphic productions, special events and emergency preparedness activities. The Department has a budget of $8 billion and nearly 8,000 employees.



Black has 30 years of public affairs/public information experience in state government and private sector.  Previous positions include Public Information Manager of the Maryland Aviation Administration, which manages Baltimore Washington International and Martin State Airports, and Public Affairs Specialist and later Public Relations Manager for the American Automobile Association of Maryland.



She has been a member of NPHIC since 1999.