Biographical data for Thomas M. Slater

Thomas M. Slater is Acting Director of Communications for the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.

A New Jersey native, Mr. Slater is responsible for all communications, media relations, marketing and public awareness activities for the Department. He is responsible for creating and delivering the overall public health message for the Office of the Commissioner, in collaboration and coordination with the Governor’s Office. He oversees website activities and speechwriting assignments for the Department.

He is also responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing all risk communication efforts in preparation and response to a public health emergency.

Previously, Mr. Slater has held several positions within the Department’s Office of Communications, including three years as Risk Communications Manager, two years as a Public Information Officer and two years as the Commissioner’s Speechwriter.

He has been a member of the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC) since 2005 and was a Member at Large in 2006 and Region II representative since 2007.

Prior to joining the Department, Mr. Slater was a public information officer at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) for 14 years and a journalist for the Asbury Park Press for three years.

He has a B.A. degree in Communications from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University).