Deborah Birx Joins The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Former White House Advisor on COVID-19, Dr. Deborah Birx will be joining the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in. TTUHSC made the announcement on Wednesday that Birx would be joining center.
According to a press release, Birx will join the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center as a presidential advisor and adjunct professor at the Julia Jones Matthews School of Population and Public Health.
Dr. Birx's duties will include the following:
- Support TTUHSC’s efforts in developing digital health literacy and overall health literacy and building rural health/telehealth hubs in the TTUHSC’s service region.
- Assist in identifying and securing funding opportunities for TTUHSC related to population and public health and telehealth/digital health initiatives.
- Identify opportunities for increased multiculturalism in health care coupled with efforts to support chronic disease management in TTUHSC’s service region.
Most will remember Birx from her time at the White House where she served as the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator under former President Donald Trump.
TTUHSC President Lori Rice-Spearman welcomed Birx to the center.
“Dr. Birx brings with her a distinguished background in global health and is known for leading improvements in health care on a national scope,” Rice-Spearman said. “We are honored to have her on the team and excited to welcome her to the TTUHSC family.”
According to the Texas Tribune, Birx's position is being partially funded by a gift from the Permian Strategic Partnership which is a coalition of energy companies focused on education, and health care, among other issues in West Texas.