MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blount, Horhn, Norwood, Simmons (12th), Butler (38th), Frazier, Jackson (11th), Michel
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE CAREER OF STATE HEALTH OFFICER THOMAS DOBBS, MD, MPH, AS HE LEAVES THIS POSITION AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO HIS HEROIC LEADERSHIP IN COVID-19 AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS IN MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, we join the public health and medical community of the State of Mississippi in commending the career and contributions of State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs, MD, MPH, who has announced that he will resign from his position in July 2022; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Dobbs began his career at MSDH in 2008, and has held numerous roles, including District Health Officer, State Epidemiologist and Deputy State Health Officer; and
WHEREAS, his passion has always been infectious disease treatment, and he has served in various roles related to that field, such as Medical Director for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Clinical Consultant for the Southeastern National TB Center and Infectious Disease Consultant for several hospitals throughout Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, "I feel the time is right for me to return to the clinical side of medicine, particularly the communicable disease treatment of patients," said Dobbs. "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at MSDH, particularly working with this dedicated health staff and advancing the field of health equity in Mississippi;" and
WHEREAS, Dr. Dobbs said he also would like to step back into the academic world. He has held numerous faculty positions at colleges and universities throughout the Southeast, including at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and he would love to teach and train healthcare professionals about public health and infectious disease; and
WHEREAS, State Board of Health Chairman Thad Waites, MD, MACC, says the Board has always fully supported Dr. Dobbs in his role as Mississippi's State Health Officer but understands his desire to return to the clinical side of medicine. "I speak for all of us when I say that we have truly appreciated his professionalism, sterling personality and stellar leadership throughout his tenure, but especially during COVID. He has been a wonderful asset to Mississippi," said Waites; and
WHEREAS, we commend the professional career of this most public-spirited public health citizen of Mississippi, we are grateful for his leadership during COVID-19 and other challenging public health issues and are confident that Dr. Dobbs will find his way to the front lines of helping his fellow Mississippians in his next role:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the career of State Health Officer Thomas Dobbs, MD, MPH, as he leaves this position and paying tribute to his heroic leadership in communicable disease treatment of patients in Mississippi, and extend to Dr. Dobbs and his family our best wishes for future success as he assumes his next healthcare role.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Thomas Dobbs and his family, forwarded to the State Board of Health, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.