(Salt Lake City, UT) – Utah Department of Health (UDOH) Executive Director Dr. Joe Miner has named Angela Dunn, MD, MPH to serve as state epidemiologist. Dr. Dunn first joined the UDOH in 2014 on assignment from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as an epidemic intelligence service officer. More recently, she has served as deputy state epidemiologist.
As state epidemiologist, Dr. Dunn will support a number of UDOH programs and initiatives. Specifically, she looks forward to advancing efforts to address the state’s ongoing opioid epidemic, using innovative data sources to enhance chronic disease surveillance, and leading the state response to communicable disease outbreaks.
Dr. Dunn will also focus on continuing to build the important partnership with local health departments in order to strengthen the state’s public health system.
“Overall, my goal is to ensure public health professionals in Utah have the tools they need to protect the health of Utahns,” said Dr. Dunn. “This truly is my dream job, and I’m fortunate to work alongside smart, capable professionals who share my passion for public health.”
Dr. Dunn received her medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and her Master of Public Health in epidemiology from San Diego State University. She has a broad range of clinical, public health, and epidemiologic experience.
Dr. Dunn’s past experience includes working in a federally-qualified health center and a local public health department providing clinical services to underserved populations. She also spent time on assignment with the CDC in Sierra Leone responding to the Ebola epidemic.
“Utahns are lucky to have someone like Dr. Dunn looking out for their health and wellbeing. Her past experience, and the perspective it has provided, will serve our agency well as we work to ensure Utahns are among the healthiest people in the nation,” Dr. Miner said.
Dr. Dunn replaces Dr. Allyn Nakashima who has served as state epidemiologist for the past five years. Dr. Nakashima will continue to serve the UDOH in a part-time capacity providing medical and epidemiological consultation on communicable diseases and health care associated infections.
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