Minnesota Department of Health

News Release

July 12, 2007

Contact information

Dr. Ruth Lynfield appointed as State Epidemiologist and Medical Director for Infectious Disease

Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dianne Mandernach today announced she has appointed Ruth Lynfield, M.D., to serve as state epidemiologist and medical director for infectious disease. Lynfield has served as acting infectious disease state epidemiologist since March.

“Ruth has excellent credentials in medicine and public health and is already very familiar with the Minnesota Department of Health and the state’s infectious disease programs,” Mandernach said. “She will do a great job addressing infectious disease concerns for the people of Minnesota.”

Lynfield earned her medical degree from Cornell University in New York. She is board certified in pediatric infectious diseases, and she served for five years as a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, after completing her residency and fellowship there. She began working for MDH in December 1997 as a medical epidemiologist. Most recently, she managed the department’s Emerging Infections Unit. She is also an adjunct faculty member of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and School of Medicine.

“I’m honored to take on this challenging position,” Lynfield said. “Minnesota has a long history of innovation and excellence in the areas of infectious disease prevention and control. I hope that I can continue that legacy as state epidemiologist for infectious disease.”

Lynfield has authored numerous publications in professional journals. Topics have included emerging infectious diseases, antibiotic resistance, unexplained infectious deaths and smallpox.

Responsibilities of the state epidemiologist and medical director for infectious disease include directing the surveillance, control and prevention of infectious diseases; leading the medical response of the department during public health emergencies; and monitoring state, national and international infectious disease activities to identify emerging issues that may affect the health of Minnesotans.

-MDH-

For more information, contact:

Doug Schultz
MDH Communications
(651) 201-4993

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