Advisors

Joint Advisory Council

The Joint Advisory Council (JAC) was established by the Arkansas Department of Health and the College of Public Health in 2002 to oversee development of collaborative research, as well as educational and service programs. It also currently advises the ARPRC on collaborations between the COPH and Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) that pertain directly to the ARPRC.

Members:

James Raczynski, Ph.D., Founding Dean and Professor, Health Behavior and Health Education, COPH

Nathaniel Smith, M.D., MPH – Director and State Health Officer, ADH

Joseph Bates, M.D., MS – Deputy State Health Officer and Chief Science Officer, ADH; Associate Dean for Public Health Practice, COPH

Stephanie Williams, MPH, RN – Deputy Director for Public Health Programs, ADH

Namvar Zohoori, M.D., Ph.D. – Deputy Science Officer, ADH

Jay Gandy, Ph.D. – Chair and Professor, Environmental and Occupational Health, COPH

Appathurai Balamurugan, M.D., MPH –Medical Director, Chronic Disease Branch and Associate Director for Science, Center for Health Improvement, ADH

Kevin Ryan, J.D., MA – Associate Dean for Professional Programs and Associate Professor, Health Policy and Management, COPH

Carol Cornell, Ph.D. – Chair and Professor, Health Behavior and Health Education, COPH

Amanda Golbeck, Ph.D. – Associate Dean for Doctoral Programs and Professor, Biostatistics,  COPH

Emily English, MPS/MPH – DrPH student, COPH

Partner Advisory Committee

The Partner Advisory Committee (PAC) advises on the progress of the Center and guides the development of sustainable approaches to dissemination of the findings of the ARPRC research project. The PAC is composed of key state health leaders.

Members:

Dan Rahn, M.D., PAC Co-chair – Chancellor, UAMS

Nathaniel Smith, M.D., MPH, PAC Co-chair – Director and State Health Officer, ADH

Don Adams, RS, MPH – Director, Center for Local Public Health, ADH

Greg Bledsoe, M.D., MPH – Arkansas Surgeon General; UAMS College of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine.

Mellie Bridewell, MS – Executive Director, Greater Delta Alliance for Health

Ray Hanley – President and CEO, Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care

Sharonda Love, MPH – Executive Director, Arkansas Minority Health Commission

Creshelle Nash, M.D., MPH – Medical Director, MediPak Advantage, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield

Dawn Zekis Stehle, MPH – State Medicaid Director, Arkansas Department of Human Services

Joe Thompson, M.D., MPH – Director, Arkansas Center for Health Improvement

Jodiane Tritt, J.D. – Vice President of Government Relations, Arkansas Hospital Association

Stephanie Williams, BSN, RNP, MPH – Deputy Director for Public Health Programs, ADH

Namvar Zohoori, M.D., Ph.D. – Deputy Science Officer, ADH

LaShannon Spencer, MHSA, MPA –  CEO, Community Health Centers of Arkansas