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JACKSON, Miss. — Today the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) announces that Dr. Paul Byers has been named State Epidemiologist.
Dr. Byers has been with MSDH since 1993, serving in various roles, most recently as Deputy State Epidemiologist, a position he has held since August 2012.
“Dr. Byers has been an essential part of the Office of Epidemiology since 2005, investigating outbreaks and responding to all kinds of public health emergencies, and will be a great asset in this position,” said MSDH State Health Officer Dr. Mary Currier. “He has a local and statewide perspective, intelligence, the ability to work with all disciplines and personalities, and the passion to do a great job.”
The position of State Epidemiologist was most recently held by Dr. Thomas Dobbs, who resigned to spend more time with his family in Laurel.
“Dr. Dobbs and Dr. Byers have worked closely together as a team for the past several years responding to various disease outbreaks and planning for public health threats such as Ebola and Zika. The experience Dr. Byers has with this agency will without a doubt be a great asset in this role,” said Dr. Currier.
A Jackson native and resident, Dr. Byers received his Bachelor of Science degree from Millsaps College in Biology and earned his Medical Degree from the University of Mississippi in 1992.
During his tenure at MSDH, Dr. Byers has served as a staff physician in Public Health District V, Medical Director of the Office of Epidemiology, Acting State Epidemiologist, and has filled in as acting District Health Officer in several districts.
