Governor Jan Brewer Establishes Council on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response

PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer has issued an Executive Order to create the Governor’s Council on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response. Comprised of leading experts in health and human services, public safety, emergency and military affairs, education and more, the Council has been charged with developing a coordinated and comprehensive plan to ensure the state is prepared to manage and respond to potential outbreaks of infectious diseases, including the Ebola virus and Enterovirus, in Arizona. Statement from Governor Brewer “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. “By addressing the transmission and treatment of potential infectious diseases, promoting public awareness and providing accurate and timely information to the people of Arizona, this Council will help ensure that we remain transparent, proactive and vigilant. I thank members for their willingness to serve, and for their shared commitment to the safety and well-being of Arizonans.” Current appointees to the Governor’s Council on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response include: Two representatives from the Arizona Department of Health Services; o Will Humble, MPH, Director o Cara Christ, MD, Chief Medical Officer Three representatives from healthcare systems that include a tertiary care hospital; o Shaun Anand, MD, Medical Director, Banner Health Network o Sean Elliott, MD, Medical Director, Infection Control, UMC o 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; o Mark Carroll, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Flagstaff Medical Center Two representatives from a County Health Department with more than 950,000 persons; o Bob England, MD Maricopa County Health Officer Rebecca Sunenshine, MD is currently acting in his absence; and, o Francisco Garcia, MD Pima County Health Officer One representative from a County Health Department with less than 950,000 persons; o 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; o Debbie Johnston, Senior Vice President, Policy Development One representative from the Emergency Medical Services Council; o Glenn Kasprzyk, Vice Chair of EMS Council, Manager of Life Line Ambulance One representative from the Arizona Academy of Family Physicians; o Jim Dearing, DO, Chief Medical Officer, John C. Lincoln Health Network One representative from the Arizona Medical Association; o Chic Older, Executive Director One representative from the Arizona College of Emergency Physicians; o Ross Rodgers, MD, FACEP President One representative from the Arizona Nurses Association; o Robin Schaeffer, MSN, RN, CNE, CAE Executive Director One representative from the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs; o Wendy Smith-Reeve, Director One representative from the Arizona Department of Public Safety; o Robert Halliday, Director One representative from the Arizona Department of Homeland Security; o Gilbert Orrantia, Director One representative from a University o Eileen Klein, President, Board of Regents