October 6, 2016 (Flint, Mich) — Flint Mayor Karen Weaver is excited to now have a Chief Public Health Advisor on the job as she works to grow her administration and increase staffing levels at City Hall.
“Staff was reduced to basically a skeleton crew over the last several years,” said Mayor Weaver. “Since the water crisis is now getting the attention it deserves, we at the City have been forced to do much more with less. The addition of Dr. Pamela Pugh as Chief Public Health Advisor is a significant step to help us better meet the needs of Flint residents still dealing with the ongoing effects of the man-made water disaster.”
Dr. Pamela Pugh is a Michigan native who was born and raised in Saginaw. Pugh is the owner of Urban Regeneration LLC, a business which serves as a catalyst for economically sustainable and healthy urban communities by assisting public agencies, organizations, and businesses in building capacity through effective operations and winning partnerships. Prior to starting Urban Regeneration, Pugh worked at the Saginaw County Department of Public Health for 14 years.
Pugh earned a Doctorate of Public Health (DrPH) from the University of Michigan School of Public Health and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Florida A&M University (Go Rattlers!). She is eager to use her knowledge, skills and experience to help make a difference in the lives of families in Flint.
“Serving the people of Flint is a huge honor for me,” Dr. Pamela Pugh commented. “I recognize the critical assignment before me and have hit the ground running, working to find balance between gathering accurate data related to the Shigellosis outbreak and timely reporting to the community. One of my foremost goals is to work with residents and other City partners to help restore trust in those charged with the task of protecting the health and well-being of residents. I am up to whatever it takes to ensure that this happens. The residents of Flint deserve nothing less.”
The position of Public Health Advisor is an essential need identified by Dr. Nicole Lurie, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Assistant Surgeon General Admiral Michelle Dunwoody. Dunwoody and Lurie were appointed by the Obama Administration to assist Mayor Weaver and her administration with the pressing health needs facing Flint residents.
