District Board of Health selects Coleman as chief health officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 30, 2013

Las Vegas – The Southern Nevada District Board of Health today selected Dr. Thomas R. Coleman to be the new chief health officer for the Southern Nevada Health District. Coleman and the Board will begin contract negotiations. The final appointment will be made at the August board of health meeting.

In his new position, Coleman will lead the health district’s 500-plus staff members in its four divisions. Coleman joined the Southern Nevada Health District in 2011 as medical epidemiologist. Most recently, he served as the agency’s director of community health where his responsibilities included the management of the community health division, which includes the office of epidemiology, the office of public health preparedness, the office of chronic disease prevention and health promotion, the office of emergency medical services and trauma system, and the Southern Nevada public health laboratory.

Prior to joining the health district, he was the director of the Volusia County Health Department in Daytona Beach, Fla. where his responsibilities included the management and direction of community assessment, prevention/education/outreach programs, environmental health programs, and a variety of clinical public health services. While in this position, he served as the chair of the Public Health Committee for the Volusia County Medical Society and was appointed as a clinical assistant professor at the Florida State University College of Medicine.

Coleman earned his medical degree at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He was also awarded a Master of Science degree in biostatistics with a supporting program in epidemiology from the UNC School of Public Health. Coleman is board certified in public health and general preventive medicine, and is licensed to practice medicine in Nevada, California, Florida and North Carolina. He is currently an adjunct assistant professor for public health and preventive medicine at Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Coleman wrote numerous articles and papers during his tenure in Florida. In addition, he has served on several boards and professional organizations during his professional career.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.