Louisville surgeon Hiram Polk named state health commissioner - Health News

Dr. Hiram Polk

Dr. Hiram Polk, a prominent surgeon from Louisville, has been appointed as the commissioner for the state Department for Public Health.

Polk is a graduate of Harvard Medical School and received his surgical training at Washington University in St. Louis. He served as an endowed professor and chairman of the Department of Surgery at the University of Louisville from 1971 to 2005, where he trained more than 330 surgical residents. He is a native of Jackson, Miss.

Polk is a director of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, which funds research on horses, and the Biomedical Research Foundation, which funds research on veterans' health.

“Many health issues plague the commonwealth, from chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, to the serious substance abuse and addiction crisis, especially in pregnant women,” Polk said in a state news release. “Meanwhile, we must be vigilant and prepared to respond to emerging public health issues such as the Zika virus or a potential hepatitis C outbreak from intravenous drug use. I am excited to take on the role of public health commissioner because it gives me an opportunity to direct policy and implement pilot programs to address these very serious issues.”

from Kentucky Health News http://ift.tt/29jP5wz - Health News