Sudbury Announces Department of Health & Community Services
At the start of 2026, Sudbury Health Director Vivian Zeng transitioned to a new role as Director of Health and Community Services. A new Health and Community Services Department which includes Health, Park & Recreation & Aquatics and Veterans Services, was created through a departmental restructuring. Combining Health with other human service functions is an increasingly adopted model, currently in use by peer communities including Bedford, Concord, Westford, and Weston.
“The work of the Health, Park & Recreation and Veterans departments was already closely connected through our shared focus on the physical, emotional and material well-being of our community members,” explained Director Zeng. “As individual departments, Health, Park & Rec and Veterans have done an excellent job of providing beloved events, enriching programs, and indispensable resources to our residents. Now with increased collaboration, we are positioned to qualify for significant new grant opportunities, introduce cutting edge initiatives, deepen our outreach into the community and so much more.”
Having joined the Town of Sudbury as Health Director on April 24, 2023, Vivian was named Director of Health and Community Services on January 1, 2026. Regarding Ms. Zeng’s new role, Board of Health Chair Carol Bradford stated, “As Health Director, Vivian built strong relationships with residents, business owners and Town staff alike. We couldn’t be happier that Sudbury will continue to benefit from Vivian’s immense knowledge, diligence and grace – the newly combined Department will flourish with her guidance.”
“A strategically connected Department of Health and Community Services will allow the Town to deliver better, more coordinated services to the community,” Town Manager Andrew Sheehan said of the newly formed department. He further explained, “In her role as Health Director, Vivian had proven herself to be a highly collaborative and visionary leader, and we look forward to the work that she and her team will do as the Health and Community Services Department. We believe the new structure will provide enhanced benefits to more residents.”
There will be no disruption in services as the office locations and phone numbers for Health (275 Old Lancaster Rd, 978-440-5479), Park & Recreation (40 Fairbank Rd, 978-639-3242), and Veterans Services (322 Concord Rd, 978-369-3357) remain unchanged during the transition. Please stay tuned for upcoming programs and initiatives from Health & Community Services, and join us in welcoming Ms. Zeng to her new role.
Vivian Zeng, Director of Health & Community Services Department