State Appoints New Deputy Health Commissioner
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowGovernor Mike Pence has named Jennifer Walthall deputy health commissioner and director for health outcomes for the State Department of Health. She currently serves as an associate professor of emergency medicine and pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine. October 24, 2014
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Governor Mike Pence today announced that Dr. Jennifer Walthall will serve as Deputy Commissioner and Director for Health Outcomes for the Indiana State Department of Health. Her primary focus will be to research and achieve successes on long-term projects, such as infant mortality, smoking cessation, and obesity.
“Dr. Jennifer Walthall's experience on the front-lines of patient care gives her a unique perspective on the health issues Hoosiers are facing today,” Pence said. “Her extensive research background in clinical emergency medicine and pediatric care will be invaluable as the Indiana State Department of Health continues to make progress on its key initiatives.”
Dr. Walthall is currently an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine. There, she is also the Division Chief for Pediatric Emergency Medicine and the Program Director for the Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics Residency. Previously, she worked as attending staff physician for Methodist Hospital Emergency Medicine and Trauma Center and Riley Hospital for Children. She has also held a number of roles specializing in clinical emergency medicine and pediatrics, as both an academic and practicing physician.
“I'm very pleased Dr. Walthall will be joining the leadership team at the State Health Department,” said State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H. “Our top priorities of reducing infant deaths, smoking and obesity reflect long-standing challenges in our state. Dr. Walthall has the right background and experience to augment the good work that is already being done and to provide a fresh perspective about how we can further improve the health of Hoosiers.”
Dr. Walthall has been a member of several organizations, including Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Professional Honor Society, American College of Emergency Physicians, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, Emergency Medicine Residents Association, Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors, American Academy of Pediatrics, Society of Academic Emergency Medicine, Academic Pediatrics Association, and the Midwest Injury Prevention Alliance.
She is a graduate of the University of Houston Honors College, where she earned her undergraduate degree, the Indiana University School of Medicine, where she earned her Medical Doctorate and completed an Emergency Medicine/Pediatrics Residency, and the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, where she received her Masters in Public Health.
Dr. Walthall will continue to work at Indiana University School of Medicine, as permitted by Indiana Code 16-19-4-4. She will assume her role on November 3, 2014.
Source: The Office of Governor Mike Pence