Dobbs was the Mississippi State Department of Health’s chief during the worst period in its history. He oversaw the state’s response to the pandemic and health orders. Dobbs stated in a press release that he feels the time is right to return to clinical medicine, especially the communicable diseases treatment of patients. “I thoroughly enjoyed my time with MSDH, especially working with this dedicated staff and advancing health equity in Mississippi,” Thomas Dobbs MD, MPH, State Health Officer, said. He will be stepping down at the end July 2022 to resume clinical medicine and communicable diseases treatment. The State Board of Health is appointing an interim State Health Officer.
Details: https://t.co/pDd9gk3bzw pic.twitter.com/Y0aKuAEiHm Dobbs has been the public face of MSDH throughout the pandemic, appearing alongside Gov. Tate Reeves was present at numerous COVID-19 press conferences, and hosted question and answer sessions via social media to address Mississipians’ questions about the pandemic. Congratulations on your well-earned move. I wish you some peace from the constant crisis, but also hope that you will be able to help others in your next position. Reeves tweeted, “Grateful for your friendship during difficult times.” Dobbs was a vocal advocate for vaccination, social distancing, and masking throughout the pandemic. This is despite opposition from politicians. Dobbs provided fact-based guidance and information on Mississippians’ safety, even when faced with death threats and conspiracy theories. Dobbs led the MSDH’s pandemic-related recommendations, which often mirrored those of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even though those recommendations were not in line with Reeves’ rhetoric and executive orders, Dobbs was also a leader in addressing the messaging and logistical challenges MSDH faced since the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines to Mississippi. Dobbs made it clear that black Mississippians were receiving fewer COVID-19 vaccinations than white Mississippians when he became aware of the racial disparity. He also made vaccine equity a top priority at MSDH. In just a few short months, Mississippi achieved vaccine parity by taking into account the solutions of Black community leaders to trust and access problems and implementing them. Dobbs began working in the health department in 2008. He held many roles, including that of district health officer, deputy state health officer, and state epidemiologist. MSDH also announced Tuesday that Dr. Daniel Edney was appointed deputy state health officer. Edney served as MSDH’s chief medical officer over the past year. He has also worked closely with Dobbs to develop the COVID-19 response. The issue of naming an interim state-health officer will be discussed by the MSDH board at one of its meetings.