February 16, 2006

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the creation of the Michigan Task Force on Cervical Cancer Awareness.  The task force will assist the state in increasing the awareness of the importance of regular cervical cancer screenings.
 
“With the screening and treatment made available by modern medicine, no woman in Michigan should die of cervical cancer,” Granholm said.  “This task force will help make a healthier Michigan by educating and informing Michigan women about the importance of regular cervical cancer screenings.”
 
The task force, established by Executive Order 2006-5, is charged with reviewing existing state efforts regarding cervical cancer awareness; identifying and making recommendations to promote effective communications efforts at state and local levels to increase awareness of the importance of regular cervical cancer screenings; and making recommendations for the development of a comprehensive statewide plan to generate public awareness of the importance of regular cervical cancer screenings.
 
The task force will consist of 15 members that serve at the pleasure of the Governor.  Surgeon General KimberlyDawn Wisdom will also serve.  A final report and recommendations will be presented to the Governor by September 30, 2006.
 
Appointees are as follows:

Nancy R. Berman of West Bloomfield, nurse practitioner with Northwest Internal Medicine Associates, is appointed to represent nurse practitioners. 

Senator Deborah Cherry of Burton, twenty-sixth district state senator, is appointed to represent residents of the state. 

Melva G. Craft-Blacksheare of Detroit, coordinator of nurse midwifery service with St. John Detroit Riverview Hospital is appointed to represent a non-profit organization dedicated to women’s health. 

Representative Barbara A. Farrah of Southgate, thirteenth district state representative, is appointed to represent residents of the state. 

Representative Edward J. Gaffney of Grosse Pointe, first district state representative, is appointed to represent residents of the state. 

State Senator Beverly S. Hammerstrom of Temperance, seventeenth district state senator, is appointed to represent residents of the state. 

Carolyn M. Johnston, M.D. of Ann Arbor, associate professor with the University of Michigan Hospitals and Clinics, is appointed to represent non-profit organizations dedicated to cancer prevention. 

Corinne E. Miller, Ph.D., D.D.S. of DeWitt, director of the Epidemiology Services Division with the Michigan Department of Community Health, is appointed to represent epidemiologists.

Deborah P. O’Neal, M.D. of Detroit, medical policy consultant with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, is appointed to represent providers of health insurance other then health maintenance organizations. 

Victoria A. Rakowski, R.N., E.T. of Lansing, executive vice president of Medical Activities for the American Cancer Society, is appointed to represent non-profit organizations dedicated to cancer prevention. 

Paul F. Reinhart of Okemos, deputy director of Medical Services Administration with the Michigan Department of Community Health, is appointed to represent individuals employed by the Michigan Department of Community Health whose responsibilities include managing Michigan’s Medicaid Program. 

Lauren B. Zoschnick, M.D. of Plymouth, assistant professor of the Department of OB/GYN with University of Michigan Health Systems, is appointed to represent a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the interests of obstetricians and gynecologists. 

These appointments are not subject to disapproval.