Lansing, MI - On April 11, 2024, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the following appointments to the Child Lead Exposure Elimination Commission, Collection Practices Board, Michigan Board of Speech Language Pathology, Michigan Board of Licensed Midwifery, Michigan Board of Nursing Home Administrators, Michigan Board of Real Estate Appraisers, Certificate of Need Commission, Michigan Veteran's Facility Authority Board of Trustees, Michigan Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, and the Michigan Freedom Trail Commission.  

April 11th appointees represent Michigan’s young professionals, communities of color, seniors, and more. The appointees announced this week build on Governor Whitmer’s work to ensure appointees reflect Michigan’s diverse population. Sixty percent of appointees are women or people of color, and the Whitmer cabinet is the most diverse in Michigan history.
 
Child Lead Exposure Elimination Commission

Alison Dickson, of Ann Arbor, is a board-certified pediatrician. Dickson received her Bachelor of Arts in zoology from Miami University, Doctor of Medicine from Duke University, and master’s in public health from the University of Michigan. Alison Dickson is reappointed to represent physicians for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring December 14, 2027.

Alan G. Vanderberg, of Grand Rapids, is the administrator for Kent County. Prior to this, he was the Ottawa County administrator. Vanderberg received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Michigan and a Master of Public Administration from Michigan State University. Vanderberg is reappointed to represent local government for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring December 14, 2027.  

The Child Lead Exposure Elimination Commission focuses on implementing the recommendations of the former Child Lead Poisoning Elimination Board and monitoring the state’s efforts to eliminate lead exposure in children. The Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the Governor and department director to coordinate and collaborate with all levels of government and stakeholders regarding programs and policies related to the elimination of child lead exposure.  

These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.    

Collection Practices Board

Scott A. Renner, of Grand Rapids, is a licensed collections manager and the president of the Velo Law Office. Renner received a Bachelor of Arts in business from Michigan State University, and a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law. Scott A. Renner is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2026. Scott A. Renner succeeds Kirstin Demaio whose term has expired.

The Collection Practices Board works to license and regulate collection agencies operating in Michigan. The board works with the department to oversee the practice of approximately 713 collection agencies and 525 collection agency managers.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Board of Speech Language Pathology

Dr. Denise Ludwig, of Grand Rapids, is a licensed speech-language pathologist and professor at Grand Valley State University. Ludwig received a Master of Education in education leadership from Grand Valley State University, a Master of Science in speech-language pathology from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in education leadership, teaching, and learning from Western Michigan University. Dr. Denise Ludwig is appointed to represent speech language pathologists for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2027. Dr. Denise Ludwig succeeds Abaries Farhad whose term has expired.

The Michigan Board of Speech Language Pathology works with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to oversee the practice of speech pathologists in this state. The Public Health Code defines the practice of speech-language pathology as the application of principles, methods, and procedures related to the development of disorders of human communication. Underlying all duties is the responsibility of the board to promote and protect the public's health, safety, and welfare.

This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Board of Licensed Midwifery

Angela Wells, of West Bloomfield, is a certified nurse midwife with Sparrow Health System. Previously, she previously worked as a certified nurse midwife for Promedica Health System in Michigan and Ohio, where she also served as the manager of a labor and delivery unity. Wells received a Bachelor of Science in nursing at the University of Michigan, and a Master of Science in nursing at Georgetown University. Angela Wells is appointed to represent nurse midwives for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring December 31, 2027. Angela Wells succeeds Geradine Simkins whose term has expired.

The Michigan Board of Licensed Midwifery is housed within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The Board works with the Department to establish and implement the licensure program for the practice of midwifery in the state.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Board of Nursing Home Administrators

Alethea Nichols-Taylor, of Saginaw, is a clerk at Buena Vista Charter Township. Nichols-Taylor is a graduate of James M. Bennett Sr. High School. Nichols-Taylor is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2026. Alethea Nichols-Taylor succeeds Ian Koffler whose term has expired.

LaTosha Agee-Gussman, of Southfield, is an administrator at Carson AFC. Agee-Gussman received a Master of Healthcare Administration in healthcare management from the University of Phoenix. Agee-Gussman is appointed to represent the general public for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2026. LaTosha Agee-Gussman succeeds Helen Hartwell whose term has expired.

The Michigan Board of Nursing Home Administrators was created to license nursing home administrators who plan, organize, direct, and control the total operation of nursing homes on behalf of the governing board or owner of a nursing home. The Board promotes and protects the public's health, safety, and welfare by ascertaining minimal entry-level competency of nursing home administrators.

These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Board of Real Estate Appraisers

Jordan Wernette, of Saranac, is a certified general real estate appraiser and appraisal group manager at GreenStone Farm Credit Services. Wernette received a Bachelor of Arts in business administration and a minor in international business. Jordan Wernette is appointed to represent certified general real estate appraisers for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring June 30, 2026. Jordan Wernette succeeds James Hartman whose term has expired.  

The Michigan Board of Real Estate Appraisers works with the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to oversee the practice of approximately 6,011 limited real estate appraisers, state licensed appraisers, certified general appraisers, and certified residential appraisers.  

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Certificate of Need Commission

Dr. Amy McKenzie, of Washington Township, is the vice president and associate chief medical officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. She is a former board member and president of the Michigan Academy of Family Practice Foundation. Dr. McKenzie received a Doctor of Medicine from Northeast Ohio Medical University, Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Bachelor of Science from Kent State University. Dr. Amy McKenzie is reappointed to represent a nonprofit health care corporation operating pursuant to the nonprofit health care corporation reform act and Independents, for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring January 1, 2027.

Renee Turner-Bailey, of West Bloomfield, is the director of the social security department for the International Union, UAW. Turner-Bailey received a Master of Health Services Administration and Bachelor of Arts in linguistics from the University of Michigan. Turner-Bailey is reappointed to represent organized labor unions and Democrats, for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring January 1, 2027.

Dr. Eric Ferguson, of Dexter, is the CEO of, and radiologist at Huron Valley Radiology, P.C. in Ypsilanti. He is also an executive committee member of Strategic Radiology. Dr. Ferguson received a Bachelor of Science in physics as well as his Doctor of Medicine from the University of Michigan. Dr. Eric Ferguson is reappointed to represent physicians and Independents, for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring April 9, 2027.   

Dr. Mark DeLano, of Ada, is chair of the department of radiology and a professor at the College of Human Medicine and College of Osteopathic Medicine at Michigan State University. He is also a member of the Michigan Radiological Society. Dr. DeLano received his Bachelor of Science in biology and his Doctor of Medicine from Michigan State University. Dr. Mark DeLano is appointed to represent licensed physicians and school of medicine and Democrats, for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring April 9, 2026. He succeeds Justin Dimmick whose term has expired.

Daniel Velez, of Westland, is the vice president of operations for Nexcare Wellbridge Senior Living. He is a registered nurse and licensed nursing home administrator. Daniel Velez received his Bachelor of Science in nursing from West Visayas State University, and his Master of Science in nursing from Western Governors’ University.  Daniel Valez is appointed to represent nursing homes and Independents, for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring April 9, 2027. Daniel Valez succeeds Donald Haney whose term has expired.  

The Certificate of Need (CON) Commission has the responsibility to develop, approve, disapprove, or revise CON Review Standards that are used by the CON Program Section to issue decisions on CON applications. The Commission evaluates the Review Standards for modification on a three-year rotating schedule as identified in the Commission Workplan. The Commission also has the authority to make recommendations to revise the list of covered clinical services subject to CON review.

These appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Veteran's Facility Authority Board of Trustees

Shawn Turner, of East Lansing, is the general manager of WKAR Public Media and a professor of strategic communication at Michigan State University. Turner spent the first 21 years of his adult life serving in the U.S. Marines. Turner received his Bachelor of Arts in speech communication from Texas State University and his Master of Arts in crisis communication from George Mason University. Shawn Turner is appointed to represent the nomination of the senate majority leader for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring April 15, 2025.

The Michigan Veterans Facility Authority (MVFA) board oversees the Michigan Veteran Homes. Nine of the members much have professional knowledge, skill or experience in long-term care, health care licensure, finance or medicine. The tenth non-voting member is the Director of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee

Kassem H. Elhelou, of Bloomfield, is the director of market health and wellness for Walmart. Elhelou received his pre-pharmacy degree at Wayne State University and his Doctor of Pharmacy from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. Kassem Elhelou is appointed to represent pharmacists for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring October 1, 2025. Kasseem Elhelou succeeds Eric Roath whose term has expired.  

Rachael Prusi, of Negaunee, is the director of clinical specialty solutions at Prime Therapeutics. Prusi received her Master of Global Health from Northwestern University and her Doctor of Pharmacy from Ferris State University. Prusi is appointed to represent pharmacists for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring on October 1, 2025. Rachel Prusi succeeds Mehvish Khan whose term has expired.

The Michigan Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee advises the Department of Health and Human Services on issues affecting prescription drug coverage for its various health care programs. The Committee shall recommend to the Department guidelines for prescription drugs covered in its various health care programs.  

These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

Michigan Freedom Trail Commission

Kimberly Holley, of Battle Creek, is the first diversity, equity, and inclusion officer for the City of Battle Creek. Previously, she served as the director of the Sojourner Truth Center for Liberation and Justice and co-coordinator of the Battle Creek Coalition for Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation. Holley received a bachelor’s in business administration from Western Michigan University. Kimberly Holley is reappointed for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring February 1, 2028.

Dr. Randal Jelks, of Grand Rapids, is a professor of African American and African Diaspora Studies at Indiana University. Previously, Dr. Jelks spent 16 years as a professor of American and African American Studies with The University of Kansas. Jelks received a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Michigan, a Master of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, and his Ph.D in the comparative black history program at Michigan State University. Dr. Jelks is the author of four books, including African Americans in the Furniture City: The Struggle for Civil Rights in Grand Rapids. Jelks is also a documentary film producer and has served on the Grand Rapids Historical Commission. Dr. Randal Jelks is appointed to represent members of the academic community knowledgeable in African American history for a term commencing April 11, 2024, and expiring February 1, 2028. Dr. Randal Jelks succeeds Jason Young whose term has expired.

The Michigan Freedom Trail Commission preserves, protects and promotes the rich legacy of the Underground Railroad and the antislavery movement in Michigan.

These appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.