Board Member

City of St. Louis Department of Health | Behavioral Health Bureau Chief

Dr. Julie J. Gary is the inaugural Behavioral Health Bureau Chief for the City of St. Louis Department of Health in St. Louis, Missouri, addressing substance use and mental health challenges in the local community. In her previous role, as Epidemiologist, Behavioral Health and Health Equity, Dr. Gary wrote the city’s first behavioral health report focused on the opioid epidemic and authored the city’s first comprehensive health equity plan. She has a bachelor of science in pre-medicine from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s and PhD in public health from Saint Louis University.

While her professional roles influence her feelings about the work done through Hope Creates, her personal experience with a journey through grief with her 3 children after the sudden loss of her husband in 2020 are what cements her passion for the work. Part of Julie’s grief and healing process involved learning to play acoustic guitar. Music is still a big part of her down time away from the office.