Doctor accepts state position
By Heather Mangold
City
Editor
Gov. Frank O'Bannon appointed Indianapolis pediatrician
Gregory Wilson to be the new state health commissioner on Tuesday.
According to a press release, O'Bannon said, "Dr.
Wilson brings years of experience and expertise to the department of
health."
The new commissioner is currently a pediatrician
at Riley Hospital for Children, specializing in the care of special
needs children.
Wilson set two top priorities after being chosen
for the position.
A statewide immunization registry to improve the
immunization rates for children in Indiana was the first. This would
prevent children from receiving the same injection more than once in
case a child moved. The second priority was to implement a public information
program to help Hoosier senior citizens find home health care services
available in their area.
O'Bannon said Wilson is a capable leader to help
improve the health of Hoosiers, both young and old.
Wilson is an associate professor at Indiana University
School of Medicine and he is president of the Indiana chapter of the
American Academy of Pediatrics.
Wilson will replace the former commissioner, Richard
Feldman.
Feldman resigned from his position as health commissioner
on Dec. 11. He has been the head of the Indiana State Department of
Health since O'Bannon began his term in 1997, according to an Indiana
State Medical Association Report.
The report indicated that Feldman resigned to concentrate
on practicing and teaching medicine and to spend more time with his
family.
Feldman plans to return to full-time practice at
St. Francis Hospital and Health Centers in Beech Grove and to resume
his duties as director of the family practice residency program at St.
Francis and as assistant clinical professor at the Indiana University
School of Medicine.
In the report, Feldman said, "Working for Gov.
O'Bannon as state health commissioner has been one of the most gratifying
and fulfilling experiences of my personal as well as professional life."
Feldman said he is very proud of the progress that
the department has made concerning health care in Indiana.
According to the report, O'Bannon said, "He has
been a tireless advocate for us all to take a hard look at behaviors
which can harm our health, especially the tobacco habit, unhealthful
eating and adolescent sexual activity."
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