The Common Council unanimously approved Jeanette Kowalik's appointment on Wednesday. 

She was sworn in immediately after the meeting. Kowalik says there is a lot of work that needs to be done within the department and she is ready to tackle it. 

"The programs that aren't doing well are the ones in the news. So that's something we seek to change. That we bring those programs into compliance. That we don't have any lags in providing services to the community," said Jeanette Kowalik, Milwaukee Health Department Commissioner. 

Kowalik replaces former Commissioner Bevan Baker. He left the department earlier in 2018 due to his handling of the city's lead abatement program.