Austin Porter, Dr.PH, MPH, Named Chief Science Officer, State Epidemiologist
| Austin Porter, Dr.PH, MPH, associate professor in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health Department of Health Policy and Management, continues to ascend the ladder at the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH).
Porter, who started at the health department in 2010 as an injury epidemiologist, is now Arkansas’ chief science officer and state epidemiologist. Previously, he was deputy chief science officer and deputy state epidemiologist.
In the role of chief science officer, he’ll ensure that science, along with available evidence, is the basis of the health department’s practices. Porter will collaborate with employees throughout the department, most notably when they’re writing grants or reports, developing and evaluating programs, or publishing their work.
As state epidemiologist, he’ll assist in coordinating outbreak response when there’s a communicable disease involved. Porter will also provide guidance to the agency’s epidemiologists.
“I believe in the mission of the Department of Health,” Porter said. “It’s a noble mission. It’s a mission that I’ve latched on to. I believe in the work that ADH team members are doing to protect and improve the health and well-being of Arkansans. You must have your heart in the right place to do this work. You do this because you want to serve. Those are the main reasons why I accepted the positions.”
Porter embraces the responsibility of helping the state’s epidemiologists remain well-versed on addressing diseases, he added.
“You need epidemiologists who have been trained to consume, analyze and produce reports from large amounts of data,” Porter said. “You need people who can identify the risk factors associated with poor health outcomes.
“With the information that’s gathered, we can empower Arkansans and help them make informed decisions that will protect their family, themselves and improve their health.”
Austin Porter, Dr.PH, MPH, speaks during a special community event at the Arkansas Department of Health.
Due to his new duties at the state health department, Porter has relinquished his role as director of the College of Public Health’s Doctor of Public Health in Public Health Leadership program. However, he will remain with the college as an educator, researcher and mentor.
“I’m passionate about education, public health and creating Arkansas’ next generation of public health practitioners,” he said. “However, I have a lot on my plate taking on these new roles at ADH. I had to be realistic with myself and make the hard decision to step down.”
Porter said he will continue in his faculty role and will be teaching Advanced Public Health Practice for the Doctor of Public Health program and Statistics for Healthcare Administrators for the Master of Health Administration program.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue working with the students,” Porter said, adding that he hopes seeing him in these roles will encourage them to pursue a career in public health.
“I’m willing to share with them my passion of public health, and what motivates me to do what I do. Educating and inspiring the next wave of public health practitioners is important.”