Wyoming Department of Health Names Acting State Health Officer

The Wyoming Department of Health has recently appointed the new acting state health officer. The state health officer is in charge of protecting the public health, investigating disease outbreaks and a variety of other health issues.

Wyoming Department of Health Director Tom Forslund has appointed Dr. Tracy Murphy, who currently serves as state epidemiologist and deputy state health officer with the department, as Wyoming’s acting state health officer.

The state health officer is charged with a number of duties designed to protect public health in Wyoming such as investigating disease outbreaks, overseeing immunization policies and closing public spaces for health reasons. The position also supervises the Office of Emergency Services and the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program.

Murphy has been the state epidemiologist since 2005. Previously, he was interim state epidemiologist and also a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Epidemic Intelligence Service officer. Before beginning his career in public health, he worked as a hospital-based anatomic and clinical pathologist.

“I’m grateful for Dr. Murphy’s willingness to take on these duties,” Forslund said. “The position’s importance to public health in Wyoming is clear.”

In addition to serving as the acting state health officer, Murphy will continue to fill his role as state epidemiologist.