A new cabinet-level post focusing on public health, and the creation of the Public Health Advisory Commission was created Thursday, after Gov. Rick Snyder issued an executive order to help better protect Michiganders’ health and safety.
The new post and commission were both recommendations of the Flint Advisory Task Force, and both will report directly to the governor. The office will help disseminate critical public health information, advocate for disease prevention, promote various health initiatives and work with stakeholders to preserve the health of residents.
“We are continuing our efforts to improve the way state government works and ensure that we put people first across all departments and agencies of state government,” Snyder said. “The Chief Medical Executive and this commission will help us better protect the public health and safety of all Michiganders.”
The advisory commission will serve within the Executive Office and its tasks will include providing input regarding public health issues, reviewing best practices nation-wide and recommending ways to improve public health in Michigan. It will be a 24-member commission and must complete its work and issue a final report to the governor no later than April 1, 2017.
The commission will consist of the Chief Medical Executive who will chair the commission, and representatives from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, MDHHS, Michigan Department of State Police Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, and 18 gubernatorial appointees.
The appointees will include at least one representative from:
• A physician
• A registered nurse
• A licensed pharmacist
• A veterinarian
• A representative of a nationally-accredited medical school
• A representative of a school of public health from an institution of higher education in the state
• A local public health official
• A person with experience in hospital administration
• A local director of public works
• An epidemiologist
• A toxicologist
• A food safety expert
• An expert in environmental health; and
• A representative of a non-profit health or environmental organization
