State health officer ready to take up CDC post

JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI - Doctor Ed Thompson Junior said his years as a top Mississippi public health official will greatly benefit his new role with the Centers for Disease Control. <br> <br> Thompson, who for almost ten years has served as state health officer, will be CDC&#39;s deputy director for Public Health Programs and Services. In his new position, he will be responsible for the Center&#39;s public health programs and its services to state and local health agencies. <br> <br> Thompson said CDC&#39;s new director, Doctor July Gerberding, has placed a priority on strengthening services provided by the nation&#39;s lead federal health agency to its customers. <br> <br> He said part of his job will be improving delivery of those services to state and local health agencies, medical organizations and other groups. <br> <br> Thompson said Wednesday, ``It&#39;s a perfect fit for me. This is an opportunity to use what I know as a customer to enhance its focus on the service component. It&#39;s something I&#39;ve been railing about for years.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> The 55-year-old Thompson has been the state health officer since 1993 and been with Mississippi&#39;s Health Department since 1980. He recently announced his retirement. <br> <br> He will assume the new position on October 28.

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