Former White House health advisor tapped to be TTUHSC presidential advisor, professor
A former White House advisor who became a national name during the COVID-19 pandemic has been appointed to serve as a presidential advisor to Texas Tech Health Sciences Center President Dr. Lori Rice-Spearman.
Dr. Deborah L. Birx served as the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator during the Trump Administration, where she worked closely with state officials to advise guidelines driven by data.
She also served in the United States Army, working her way up to the rank of colonel; she focused on researching HIV/AIDS vaccines. She was named director of the U.S. Military HIV Research Program at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research from 1996 to 2005.
According to TTUHSC, Birx oversaw the RV 144 trial, which was "one of the most influential HIV vaccine trials in history, which provided the first supporting evidence of any vaccine’s potential effectiveness in preventing HIV infection."
She was awarded the U.S. Meritious Service Medal and the Legion of Merit award for her research.
After her stint at Walter Reed, Birx went on to the CDC to be director in its Division of Global HIV/AIDS, where she oversaw the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
Birx is board-certified in internal medicine, allergy and immunology, diagnostic and clinical laboratory immunology and has published over 230 peer-reviewed manuscripts.
She will also be an adjunct professor in the Julia Jones Mathews School of Population and Public Health at TTUHSC.
According to TTUHSC, Birx's responsibilities will entail supporting the university's digital health literacy, building rural/ telehealth hubs, securing funding for population and public health initiatives and increasing multiculturalism in health care.
“Dr. Birx brings with her a distinguished background in global health and is known for leading improvements in health care on a national scope,” Rice-Spearman said in a news release. “We are honored to have her on the team and excited to welcome her to the TTUHSC family.”
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Former COVID-19 health expert to be TTUHSC advisor, adjunct professor
