June 10, 2016
Friday, June 10, 2016
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointments to the new Child Lead Poisoning Elimination Board, created by Executive Order 2016-9 to develop a statewide strategy to help prevent childhood lead exposure.
“Childhood lead exposure is a serious issue impacting families all across Michigan,” Snyder said. “Protecting our youngest residents from lead exposure is fundamental in safeguarding a healthier future for children.”
The 12-member board includes Lt. Gov. Brian Calley as chair, plus seven gubernatorial appointees and four state department directors or their designees including:
“I am looking forward to working with my fellow board members to further understand and address this statewide threat,” Calley said. “Preventing childhood lead exposure will be a significant step in helping young Michiganders have a healthier future. The Governor has appointed a top-notch group that is truly focused on getting this done and I’m anxious to get started with them.”
The Governor’s appointees are:
Riley Alley, Great Start collaborative director for St. Clair County’s Regional Education Service Agency. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, Blue Water Young Professionals, McLaren Port Huron Hospital Foundation Board, and the Blue Water YMCA Early Childhood Committee. She holds a bachelor’s degree in family studies and early childhood development from Central Michigan University.
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha is the director of the pediatric residency program at Hurley Medical Center in Flint and is an assistant professor of pediatrics and human development at Michigan State University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in resource ecology and management/environmental health from the University of Michigan, a master’s degree from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, and a medical degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.
Rosalynn Bliss is the mayor of Grand Rapids and the city’s first female mayor. She serves as director of residential services at D.A. Blodgett-St. John's, which provides emergency shelter for abused and neglected children. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and criminal justice from the University of South Alabama and a master’s degree in social work from Michigan State University.
Paul Haan is the executive director of Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan, Inc. He has over 15 years of experience working in childhood lead poisoning prevention and intervention. He has an extensive history working with low-income households addressing housing and community development. Haan holds a bachelor’s degree in communication and philosophy from Calvin College.
Rebecca Meuninck is the deputy director of the Ecology Center. She is director of the Michigan Networks for Children’s Environmental Health, a committee member of Michigan Alliance for Lead Safe Homes, and committee member of Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families, and Safer States. Meuninck holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental anthropology from The University of Michigan, a master’s degree in anthropology and is a Ph.D. candidate at Michigan State University.
Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is the executive director and health officer for the Detroit Health Department. He is also the director of the MCAT Program at Cambridge Coaching, as well as a scholar at HITLab Healthcare Information Technology Group. He is leading the Detroit Health Department and Detroit Schools in a city-wide task force focusing on screening children and water for elevated lead levels. Al-Sayed holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and political science from the University of Michigan, a Ph.D. in Public Health from Oxford University, and a medical degree from Columbia University.
Dr. Lyke Thompson is the director of the Center for Urban Studies at Wayne State University. He has been studying lead poisoning in Michigan since 1999. Thompson holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism, as well as a master’s degree and Ph.D. in urban studies from The University of Texas, Arlington.
Members will serve terms expiring at the pleasure of the governor.
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