August 3, 2005
DPHHS Hires New State Medical Officer
Dr. Steven Helgerson has been hired as the new chief medical officer for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), according to Dr. Robert Wynia, department director. Helgerson replaces Dr. Mike Spence, who retired at the end of last year.
Dr. Helgerson has worked for the U.S. Public Health Service, Indian Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Health Care Financing Administration, and state and local public health agencies. His experience and expertise in public health programming and epidemiology spans a wide range of issues, from infectious disease control to environmental health to chronic disease prevention.
Dr. Helgerson has held faculty appointments at the University of Washington, University of North Dakota, Yale University, and Oregon Health Sciences University. He earned his medical degree and master’s degree in public health from the University of Washington.
As chief medical officer, Dr. Helgerson is responsible for:
- Providing leadership for statewide public health program planning and administration;
- P roviding medical quality assurance and compliance oversight for public health activities and programs; and
- Evaluating the causes of diseases and providing medical support and research related to interventions necessary to prevent disease, mitigate disease outbreak, and promote healthy behavior.
Dr. Helgerson began his new job Aug. 1.
"I'm eager to get involved with the activities already under way here, as well as additional work with the outstanding staff in the department and public health colleagues around the state," he said. "The opportunity to demonstrate effective public health practice in Montana is terrific!"
Page last updated: 06/14/2006
