Gov. Herbert appoints Dr. Miner to lead Health Department
SALT LAKE CITY (Aug. 3, 2015) – Gov. Gary R. Herbert has appointed Dr. Joseph Kay Miner, M.D., MSPH to lead the Utah Department of Health. Dr. Miner will replace Dr. David Patton who left the executive director position July 31, 2015 to pursue opportunities in the private sector. Dr. Miner’s confirmation is subject by the Utah State Senate.
“I am confident the leadership of Dr. Miner will be a great asset to the Utah Department of Health during this important time,” said Gov. Herbert. “His 32 years of experience directing one of our state’s largest and most complex health departments has uniquely prepared him for this new position.”
Most recently Dr. Miner served as the executive director of the Utah County Health Department (1983-2015). In this role, he was a tireless advocate for improving the health of residents. In addition to his responsibilities as executive director, Dr. Miner was also a medical consultant for the Office of Education and Vocational Rehabilitation (1988-2015) and the Utah Division of Juvenile Justice Services (1987-2015). He was a clinical consultant for the Wasatch Mental Health Center and Utah Valley Regional Medical Center inpatient Psychiatry Medical Support Services in Provo and Utah State Hospital (1997- 2015). Additionally, he has served on numerous boards and committees all focused on the improved health of our state’s population.
Dr. Miner earned a Bachelor of Science from Brigham Young University in 1971, a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Utah School of Medicine in 1974 and a Master of Science in Public Health from the University of Utah School of Medicine in 1983.
Link to audio of news conference
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