HEALTHYMS.COM - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director, Office of Oral Health
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Dr. Filzen is a graduate of Tougaloo College, and received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. She also holds a certificate of training completion from Meharry Medical College's General Practice Residency Program, where she served as Chief Resident during her tenure. She is a recipient of a National Health Service Corps scholarship, completing her service by working in medically underserved communities in Houston, Texas. She joined the Mississippi State Department of Health in 2016 as an oral health consultant and became the Director for the Office of Oral Health in 2017.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director, Office of Health Services
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Beryl Polk was appointed Director of Health Services in September 2020. Dr. Polk served as the Child and Adolescent Health Director for more than seven years and has held various positions within the agency over the past 21 years.
Beryl received a Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Leadership and Management from Jackson State University. She is a Certified Public Manager as well as a Licensed Social Worker, and was Past Chairperson of the South Central Public Health Leadership Institute (SCPHLI).
Job Titles:
- Director of Policy Evaluation and Government Relations
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Background
Breanne Hancock previously held the position of the Director of Internal Audit for the Mississippi State Department of Health, and currently serves on MSDH's Quality Improvement Council. Prior to joining MSDH, Breanne interned with the Office of the State Auditor and worked in public accounting. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration Degree and Master of Professional Accountancy Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and Certified Internal Auditor.
Dr. Edney became State Health Officer in August 2022, after serving as Deputy State Health Officer and as Chief Medical Officer for the agency.
Before joining the Mississippi State Department of Health, Dr. Edney was in private practice in Vicksburg for more than 30 years. He received his M.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine with residency in the University of Virginia's internal medicine program. He holds board certifications in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine, and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Services Director of the Public Health Laboratory
- Director, Public Health Laboratory
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Dr. Ware has served as Clinical Services Director of the Public Health Laboratory since November 2007, and was a Clinical Services technical consultant with the agency prior to that appointment. Before beginning her public health career, she was an instructor in the Health Sciences department of the University of Mississippi Medical Center's Clinical Laboratory Program and a research technician with the VA Medical Center in Jackson.
Dr. Ware earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Microbiology from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Dr. Ware is also certified to direct a high-complexity laboratory.
Job Titles:
- Central Regional Administrator
- Regional Administrator
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David Caulfield previously served MSDH in the role of District Administrator for the Gulf Coast before becoming a Regional Administrator in 2017.
Job Titles:
- Health Officer, Central Public Health Region
- Regional Health Officer
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Background
Before joining MSDH, Faucett held positions as the Chief Medical Officer and Director of Health Services at the Mississippi Department of Corrections, Chief of Ophthalmology at St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson, and as an attending physician in the Department of Ophthalmology for oculoplastic surgery at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He also has extensive clinical experience , with an emphasis on addiction treatment.
Dr. Faucett received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine.
Job Titles:
- Director, Tuberculosis Control
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Donald Franklin began his career with the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) in 2008 as a Disease Intervention Specialist (DIS). Since then he has served in the capacities of DIS Senior, DIS Supervisor, Special Projects Officer and most recently as Division Director.
Donald's core motivations are learning, teaching, coaching and educating the public to live healthier lives. Prior to working at MSDH, Donald worked as an Advance Mental Health Technician at the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. Donald is a U.S. veteran and has served in the Persian Gulf War. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from William Carey University and a Master of Science Degree from Belhaven University.
Job Titles:
- Chief Health Data, Operations and Research Officer
Background
Before joining the Mississippi State Department of Health, Dr. Young served as the Deputy of Health Services, the Director of Innovation Initiatives, and the Medical Services Director in the Mississippi Division of Medicaid. She has also been a Director in University of Mississippi Medical Center Hospital Administration and for UMMC's University Heart Center.
Dr. Young is a graduate of Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, and holds a Master of Health Services Administration degree from Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi. She earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Health Sciences from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. In addition to her role with MSDH, Dr. Young is an adjunct faculty member for the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and at Xavier University of Louisiana. She has experience in hospital administration, health information and informatics, life sciences research, healthcare reimbursement, analytics and policy development.
Job Titles:
- Regional Health Officer
- Southern Regional Health Officer
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A native of Jackson, Dr. Barnett previously served at MSDH as a District Health Officer. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree with highest honors from the University of Southern Mississippi, and her medical doctorate from the University of South Alabama. Upon completion of her residency in internal medicine, she began practicing at Methodist Healthcare, Internal Medicine Associates in Jackson, followed by four years in adolescent and adult medical practice and women's health with the University of Southern Mississippi's Student Health Services the Southeast Mississippi Rural Healthcare Centers in Hattiesburg and Brooklyn. In addition to her background in women's health, student health, and primary care, she brings experience in HIV care and the treatment of sexually transmitted infections to her position as Regional Health Officer.
Job Titles:
- Northern Regional Health Officer
- Regional Health Officer
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Dr. Tate received her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. She has over 17 years of experience in clinical practice. Since joining the Mississippi State Department of Health in 2011, Dr. Tate has served the citizens of Mississippi as a staff physician in clinical practice, as a Deputy District Health Officer, Acting District Health Officer, and Regional Health Officer.
Job Titles:
- Northern Regional Administrator
- Regional Administrator
- Regional Administrator, Northern Public Health Region
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Background
Since joining the Mississippi State Department of Health in 2000, Jonathan has worked in a variety of capacities within the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response, and as Administrator of Public Health District V. Prior to joining MSDH, Jonathan was employed for over a decade in the corporate business sector.
Jonathan has a B.A. in accounting from Mississippi College, and an MBA from LSU-Shreveport. He is also is a Certified Public Manager, and a graduate of the South Central Public Health Leadership Institute.
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Background
Dr. Turner is an internal medicine physician who joined MSDH in 2022 as Chief Medical Officer. He has previously held positions as the vice-chief of Internal Medicine at St. Dominic Hospital, as well as medical director for several hospice services in the Jackson area. He also serves on the COVID-19 Task Forces for the Mississippi State Medical Association and the City of Jackson.
He has received numerous awards, including the 2022 inaugural Mississippi Children's Museum Community Service Award, the 2021 Dr. Axel Hanson Distinguished Physician Award from Meharry Medical College, and the 2020 Dr. James Waites Leadership Award from the Mississippi State Medical Association.
Dr. Turner is a graduate of Jackson State University, Meharry Medical College, and completed his residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson.
Job Titles:
- Director, Office of Performance Improvement
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Background
Katherine Richardson joined the Office of Performance Improvement team in March of 2016. Her roles include strategic planning, cross-sectoral collaboration, performance management and accreditation. Katherine's previous work experience includes 15 years of private sector management, case management for Court Appointed Special Advocates, counseling of families affected by HIV, behavior intervention for individuals with Autism, and health coaching for disabled adults.
Dr. Taylor is a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and holds a board certification in Family Medicine. Prior to joining MSDH, she spent two years as an assistant professor in Family Medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and five years in private practice in the Jackson area. She joined MSDH in 2015 as a District Health Officer. Since then, she has served as a Deputy Regional Health Officer, a medical consultant in the Office of Epidemiology, and most recently as Deputy State Epidemiologist. She is a member of the Mississippi State Medical Association and the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians.
Job Titles:
- Director of the Office of Health Promotion
- Director, Office of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention
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Background
Kendra Johnson is currently the Director of the Office of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, having previously served as Director of the STD/HIV Office at the Mississippi State Department of Health, where she was responsible for managing STD/HIV prevention, education and surveillance activities. She was also responsible for HIV Care and Services, including Ryan White Part B, statewide.
Prior to her administrative roles, Kendra was a staff Epidemiologist, leading surveillance and reporting activities at MSDH for nearly 15 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health Education from Dillard University in New Orleans, LA and her Master of Public Health degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, FL.
Job Titles:
- Director, Human Resources
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Background
Kimberly Reese has worked in state government since 2006, most recently with the Administrative Services division of the Mississippi Insurance Department where she was responsible for finance, accounting and human resources duties. She joined MSDH in 2014 in the Finance and Accounts area before becoming Director of Human Resources in 2016.
Background
Kris Adcock previously served as director of MSDH's Medical Cannabis Program and the Office Against Interpersonal Violence before becoming Assistant Senior Deputy in 2022. Prior to joining MSDH in 2020, Ms. Adcock served as the Deputy Commissioner for Administration for the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services. She has over twenty years of experience in behavioral health and child welfare settings at various levels of administration in state government systems. In addition to her work at MDCPS, she spent approximately eighteen years working in the state's mental health system in various executive level positions.
Ms. Adcock is a Certified Public Manager and graduate of the State Executive Development Institute sponsored by the John C. Stennis Institute of Government. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Educational Psychology from Mississippi State University and a Master of Social Work degree from Jackson State University.
Before joining MSDH, Les Herrington served in a wide range of roles at the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, with earlier experience in managing environmental health and safety operations and employee training in the private sector.
Job Titles:
- Director, Office of Health Protection
Melissa has more than 30 years of service with the Mississippi State Department of Health, beginning in 1991 as a Health Physicist in the Radiological Health program. She has served as the Deputy Director of the Bureau of Public Water Supply, Deputy Director of the Office of Environmental Health, and most recently as Director of the Office of Licensure, leading teams in Health Facilities Licensure and Certification, Child Care Licensing, Professional Licensing, and the Criminal History Record Check Unit.
Melissa has a Bachelor's Degree in Biology from the University of Mississippi and is a Certified Public Manager.
Job Titles:
- Chief Administrative Officer
- Chief Financial Officer
- CFE, CPM
In addition to her role as Chief Financial Officer for the agency, Sharon Dowdy was appointed Chief Administrative Officer in 2019. She has served as Chief Financial Officer for MSDH since 2004, as well as being Director of Internal Audit from 2008 to 2014.
Prior to employment with the State Department of Health, she held positions with the Office of the State Auditor and the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. She received a Bachelor and Master of Accountancy degree from the University of Mississippi, and holds the certifications of Certified Public Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Public Manager.
Job Titles:
- Director, Office of Epidemiology
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Before becoming Director of the Office of Epidemiology in 2019, Theresa Kittle served as an Epidemiologist with the Mississippi State Department of Health for 14 years, including administrating the Office of Epidemiology's disease surveillance and electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) systems. She earned her bachelor's degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences from the University of South Alabama and worked as a Medical Technologist prior to earning her Master's in Public Health with an emphasis in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director, MSDH Field Services
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Tim Darnell was appointed Director of Field Services in 2011. Tim has over 19 years of service with MSDH having previously served as Environmental Health Director, Director of the Bureau of General Environmental Services, and Environmental Health Consultant in the Bureau of Field Services. Before joining the Department of Health, he was a laboratory manager and environmental consultant for eight years. Tim received his Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and his Master of Science in Applied/Environmental Microbiology from Mississippi State University. He holds a Certificate in Supervisory Management from the Mississippi State Personnel Board, is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian, and a graduate of the South Central Public Health Leadership Institute. Tim is also a member of the Mississippi Public Health Association and the National Environmental Health Association.
Victor D. Sutton currently oversees MSDH's Office of Preventive Health and Health Equity, Office of Health Services, Office of Field Services, and the Jackson Heart Study Community Engagement Center, after having served as the director of the Office of Preventive Health and Health Equity for many years.
The Office of Preventive Health and Health Equity works to promote evidence-based programs that focus on policy and environmental change, and works with schools, faith-based organizations, health care systems, worksites, municipalities and communities. Dr. Sutton manages the programmatic planning, implementation, and evaluation of federal and state grants.
Dr. Sutton also provides operational and fiscal oversight to the Bureau of Community and School Health, the Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention, the Delta Health Collaborative, and the Injury and Violence Prevention program.
Dr. Sutton's career in public health extends over a decade in professional roles with the Mississippi Department of Human Services' Office of Children and Youth, the New York Department of Labor, and non-profit organizations, including the Community Organization for Health Awareness (COHA). As Director of COHA, Dr. Sutton developed a mentoring network that addressed health and education among at-risk youth in the juvenile system.
His research interests are varied and include leadership, cardiovascular health, obesity, health disparities, physical activity, community-based corrections, and community and economic development.