A member of the Georgia Public Health Association will have the honor of helping the state determine where Public Health fits in the state government and how best it will serve the public.

Phillip Williams, a member of Georgia Public Health Association, was appointed to the Georgia Public Health Commission by Governor Sonny Perdue. The commission will determine whether Public Health should remain part of the state Department of Community Health, become a separate agency, or be reorganized elsewhere. Public Health was previously under the state Department of Human Resources, but was transferred to DCH by the Georgia legislature in 2009. The commission will convene for six months, from July 1-December 31.

Williams is the fifth person appointed to the governor’s commission. A total of nine people will be appointed.

The Athens Banner-Herald published an article about Williams’ appointment here. The article also features insightful commentary from Robert Stolarick, executive director of the Georgia Public Health Association.