The Texas Department of State Health Services selected Jennifer Shuford, MD, as its next commissioner Dec. 27. Dr. Shuford has worked with the department since 2017 and has served as interim commissioner since September, according to a report from the Texas Tribune.
DSHS, which is headquartered in Austin, is the governmental agency responsible for public health operations in Texas. It has roughly 100 offices throughout the state, serving as the primary public health agency across 164 counties.
Dr. Shuford was the chief state epidemiologist for DSHS before filling in as interim commissioner following the retirement of longtime commissioner John Hellerstedt, MD. Prior to her work with DSHS, Dr. Shuford cared for patients in Austin as an infectious disease physician.