News

Indiana State (USA) Epidemiologist— Public Health Veterinarian and One Health Supporter/Advocate—Accepts Position as Assistant Commissioner for the Public Health & Preparedness Commission

 

Judith A. Monroe, MD, Physician Health Commissioner of the Indiana State Department of Health  http://www.in.gov/isdh/  Recently Announced New Assistant Commissioner, James F. Howell, DVM, MPH (see below):

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I am pleased to announce State Epidemiologist James Howell, DVM, has agreed to serve as assistant commissioner for the Public Health & Preparedness Commission, effective today [Since August 2009].

 

In this role, Dr. Howell will oversee the following areas: the Public Health & Preparedness Commission includes Environmental Public Health, Epidemiology Resource Center, HIV/STD Division, Indiana Lead & Healthy Homes, Immunization, Local Health Department Outreach, Office of Legislative Affairs, Office of Primary Care, Public Health Preparedness & Emergency Response, and Tuberculosis Control.

 

Over the 13 years he has worked at the Department, Dr. Howell has shown exemplary professionalism and dedication to serving public health.  I am certain he will become an even greater asset to the agency in his new role.

 

As state epidemiologist, Dr. Howell oversaw the day-to-day operations of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Data Analysis, Food Protection, Geographic Information Services, Radiation Health, Surveillance and Investigation of Communicable Disease, as well as Zoonotic and Vector-borne Diseases.   In addition to his current position, he has served as Director of Operations, Veterinary Epidemiologist, and as the Surveillance/Investigation Coordinator.

 

Dr. Howell has had a varied professional career in both private and public sector.  He was a clinical practitioner for more than two years in mixed veterinary practices in north central Pennsylvania.  He also served more than 24 years in the US Air Force in veterinary and public health roles at base level, Dept. of Defense level, and at Air Force Major Command Headquarters.  His last military assignment was at the Air Force Material Command Surgeon’s Office, where he oversaw public health programs at 13 air force bases from Massachusetts to Florida to California and was the command’s senior advisor for officers in the Biomedical Science Corps.

 

Howell received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Purdue University and his Masters in Public Health from the University of Michigan.  He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine.  In addition to numerous military decorations and awards, Dr. Howell is a recipient of the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

 

 Judy Monroe, MD