News & Media
Governor Whitmer Announces Appointments to Bipartisan Protect Michigan Commission
Commission to help educate Michiganders on safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine
Earlier this week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed new members to the bipartisan Protect Michigan Commission. The appointees represent a diverse array of industries, professions, and backgrounds. Housed within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the commission will help raise awareness of the safety and effectiveness of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, educate the people of this state, and help protect the health and safety of all Michigan residents.
“Michigan is working around the clock to ramp up vaccinations and reach our goal of 50,000 shots in arms per day, and with the help of the Protect Michigan Commission we can ensure everyone has a plan to get vaccinated once the opportunity becomes available to them,” said Governor Whitmer. “The bipartisan members of this group will play a vital role in helping to reinforce the importance of everyone getting the safe and effective vaccine. I am confident that the members of this commission will rise to the occasion and help Michigan end the COVID-19 pandemic once and for all.”
“Our clearest path to healthy communities, a growing economy, and day-to-day activities free from fear is through the COVID-19 vaccine,” Lt. Governor Gilchrist said. “As we continue to build up the largest vaccine program in our state’s history, we will be working alongside members of the Protect Michigan Commission to ensure that Michiganders in every part of our state, especially those with questions and those hardest hit during the pandemic, have a plan to get vaccinated. The best thing we can do right now is to work together to see all of our communities through to the other side of this pandemic.”
The governor has selected Kerry Ebersole Singh to lead the Protect Michigan Commission and assist in mobilizing the ongoing efforts of the commission.
“This is a critical time for Michigan, and as we ramp up vaccination efforts across the state I am confident that we can leverage the expertise of the commissioners to ensure everyone who wants a vaccinate can get one,” said Kerry Ebersole Singh. “I am honored to be a part of one of the largest commissions to date and I am ready to work together with the commission to meet the governor’s vaccination goals.”
The Protect Michigan Commission, formed in December, serves in an advisory capacity to Governor Whitmer and DHHS. The new members are tasked with providing public leadership to elevate and reinforce the importance of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, identifying barriers that may impede the acceptance of an approved COVID-19 vaccine by Michigan residents, which includes identifying areas or groups within this state that are likely to experience vaccine hesitancy, and develop an outreach action plan designed to overcome these barriers. The Commission must complete its work and submit a brief final report to the governor by December 31, 2021. Appointees will serve until the dissolution of the Commission.
The Commission appointments include several Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) and their component county medical society members.
Doctor Mona Hanna-Attisha (Genesee County Medical Society) will serve as a co-chair of the Commission.
The Commission will establish advisory workgroups to assist the Commission in performing its duties and responsibilities. Doctor S. Bobby Mukkamala, MD, MSMS President (Genesee County Medical Society) will chair the Asian Pacific American workgroup.
Other member who will service on the Commission include:
- Nirali Bora, MD (Kent County Medical Society)
- Delicia J. Pruitt, MD (Saginaw County Medical Society)
- Lawrence A. Reynolds, MD (Genesee County Medical Society)
- Rev. Jimmy Womack, MD (Wayne County Medical Society of Southeast Michigan)