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William Gimson, chief operating officer of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), became the first executive director of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas on March 30.
The institute was created with voter approval in 2007 of a $3 billion constitutional amendment. Over the next 10 years, cancer research institutions can apply for a portion of $300 million annually in grants and loans. Additionally, up to 10 percent of funding, or $30 million a year, will pay for cancer prevention and control programs. TMA and the Texas Public Health Coalition, along with advocacy groups and lawmakers, championed passage of the amendment.
The institute's main goals are:
- To create and expedite innovation in cancer research and enhance the potential for medical or scientific breakthroughs in preventing and curing cancer;
- To attract, create, or expand public or private research capabilities to increase cancer research and create high-quality new jobs; and
- To implement the Texas Cancer Plan, a statewide guide for cancer prevention and control created by the Texas Cancer Council.
As CDC chief operating officer, Mr. Gimson was the principal link to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Management and Budget, and Congress on the CDC's management and operations practices, policies, and regulations.
Among his previous positions are public health advisor to the Chicago Department of Health, director of the Immunization Program for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, acting assistant secretary for health, and coordinator of the New York state immunization program.
Mr. Gimson received a BA from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and an MBA from Duke University.
Action, April 1, 2009
Last Published: 4/1/2009 Print this page
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