Governor Grecthen Whitmer has announced several more appointments to various boards and commissions. Among others, commissions of note include the Michigan Board of Medicine, Michigan Task Force on Physician’s Assistants, Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services, Health Information Technology Commission, Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice, Advisory Council on Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing.

¶Appointments Include:

Michigan Board of Medicine:

• Hassan F. Abdallah: Representing the general public (Succeeds Teresa Robinson)
• Dr. Abdulghani Sankari: Representing physicians (Succeeds Donald Tynes)
• Aurelia Gooden: Representing the general public (Succeeds Mary Stearns)

Michigan Task Force on Physician’s Assistants

• Dr. Mustafa Mark Hamed: Representing the Board of Medicine (Succeeds Bryan Little)

Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services:

• Dr. Yasmina Bouraoui: Representing disability advocacy groups (Succeeds Khodr Farhat)

Health Information Technology Commission:

• Rex Menold: Representing the designee of the Director of DTMB (Succeeds Jack Harris)

Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice:

• Carol S. Jackson: Representing experience in tribal law enforcement and tribal communities (Succeeds Judge Allie Maldonado)

Advisory Council on Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing:

• Gerid Adams: Designated as chair

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced several appointments to boards and commissions, with an emphasis on diversity. Appointments of special notice are as follows.

¶Appointments Include:

Child Lead Exposure Elimination Commission:

• Jane Nickert: Director of nursing at the Washtenaw County Health Department (replaces Chioma Ejiofor).

Health Information Technology:

• Jessica Robinson: Digital inclusion manager for the State of Michigan (succeeds Camille Pasquel Banks).

Governor’s Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect:

• Judge Yasmine Isshak Poles: Judge of the Michigan 6th Circuit Court (reappointed).

Human Trafficking Health Advisory Board:

• Brigette Robarge: Lead mentor for trafficked youth at Common Ground (reappointed).

Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council:

• Joseph Bione: President and founder of the Whitehall Group (new appointee).
• Tiffany Gaiter: Former secondary education teacher (new appointee).

Michigan Board of Medicine:

• Dr. Holly Gilmer: Neurosurgeon (reappointed).
• Dr. Michael Lewis: Anesthesiologist (reappointed).
• Angela Trepanier: Genetic Counselor (reappointed).
• Dr. Brigitte Lorenz: Obstetrician-Gynecologist (new appointee).
• Dr. Stephen Zintsmaster: Radiologist (new appointee).

Michigan Health Endowment Fund Board:

• Zaineb Hussein: Chief of staff for the mayor of the City of Dearborn (represents the nominee of the speaker of the house of representatives).
• David Nyberg: Executive Director of Business Engagement and Economic Development at Northern Michigan University (represents the nominee of the Senate Minority Leader).
• Lynn Chen-Zhang: CEO of Zhang Financial (represents the nominee by House of Representatives Minority Leader).

Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services:

• Karen Wang: Transition specialist for the Michigan Alliance for Families (reappointed).
• William Ernzen: Managing director for Slalom Detroit (reappointed).
• Kellie Blackwell: Michigan Assistive Technology Program Co-Director of the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (reappointed).
• Brent Mikulski: President and CEO for Services to Enhance Potential in Dearborn (reappointed).
• Carol Bergquist: Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for the Hannahville Indian Community (reappointed).

Governor Whitmer recently signed groundbreaking clean energy legislation that positions the state as a national frontrunner in combating climate change. These bills, part of the MI Healthy Climate Plan, promise to slash household utility costs by an average of $145 annually, generate 160,000 well-paying jobs, and bring in nearly $8 billion in federal funds for clean energy initiatives. The package boasts a 100% clean energy standard by 2040 (SB 271), driving Michigan toward renewable energy sources while fostering economic growth and elevating labor standards.

The comprehensive package also includes measures to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste (SB 273), the formation of the Office of Worker and Community Economic Transition (SB 519), and streamlined processes for clean energy projects (HB 5120). The legislation places special attention on protecting local communities (SB 502) and farmers’ rights to engage in solar projects on their own land (SB 277).