On Tuesday, Governor Brewer issued an Executive Order to create the Governor’s Council on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response. The Council is tasked with developing a coordinated and comprehensive plan for the state’s response to potential outbreaks of infectious diseases, including the Ebola virus and Enterovirus, in Arizona.
“As governor, the health and safety of Arizona citizens is my greatest responsibility and priority. In light of the recent emergence of highly-infectious diseases – and the growing worldwide attention surrounding Ebola – it is imperative that we take every practical measure to ensure that, if a case does arise in Arizona, we are well-equipped to address, control and ultimately eliminate its occurrence,” said the Governor in a statement released Tuesday.
Current appointees to the Governor’s Council on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response include:
Two representatives from the Arizona Department of Health Services;
Will Humble, MPH, Director
Cara Christ, MD, Chief Medical Officer
Three representatives from healthcare systems that include a tertiary care hospital;
Shaun Anand, MD, Medical Director, Banner Health Network
Sean Elliott, MD, Medical Director, Infection Control, UMC
Robert Fromm, Jr. MD, Chief Medical Officer, Maricopa Integrated Health System
One representative from a general hospital in a county with less than 500,000 persons;
Mark Carroll, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Flagstaff Medical Center
Two representatives from a County Health Department with more than 950,000 persons;
Bob England, MD Maricopa County Health Officer
Rebecca Sunenshine, MD is currently acting in his absence; and,
Francisco Garcia, MD Pima County Health Officer
One representative from a County Health Department with less than 950,000 persons;
Michael O’Driscoll, Gila County Health Officer and President of the Arizona Local Health Officers Association;
One representative from the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association;
Debbie Johnston, Senior Vice President, Policy Development
One representative from the Emergency Medical Services Council;
Glenn Kasprzyk, Vice Chair of EMS Council, Manager of Life Line Ambulance
One representative from the Arizona Academy of Family Physicians;
Jim Dearing, DO, Chief Medical Officer, John C. Lincoln Health Network
One representative from the Arizona Medical Association;
Chic Older, Executive Director
One representative from the Arizona College of Emergency Physicians;
Ross Rodgers, MD, FACEP President
One representative from the Arizona Nurses Association;
Robin Schaeffer, MSN, RN, CNE, CAE Executive Director
One representative from the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs;
Wendy Smith-Reeve, Director
One representative from the Arizona Department of Public Safety;
Robert Halliday, Director
One representative from the Arizona Department of Homeland Security;
Gilbert Orrantia, Director
One representative from a University
Eileen Klein, President, Board of Regents