Dr. David L. Lakey, a Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology chemistry graduate, has been named as commissioner of the Department of State Health Services today by Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins.

Dr. Lakey currently serves as chief of infectious disease and medical director of the Center for Pulmonary and Infectious Disease Control at the University of Texas Health Center in Tyler, Texas. He has been a faculty member there since 1998.

Dr. Lakey assumes his new duties in Austin, Texas, on Jan. 2.

"I am impressed with Dr. Lakey’s skills, his leadership and his enthusiasm," Hawkins said. "He has been very successful in his role at the health center and has been instrumental in the state’s efforts to prevent and respond to bioterrorism and other potential disasters. I know he is eager to take the lead in advancing public health throughout the state."

The appointment was made with the approval of Texas Governor Rick Perry.

"I am deeply honored to have this opportunity to work with the excellent folks at the Department of State Health Services," Dr. Lakey said. "In Texas there are many challenges in public health, and working with the governor, the legislature and the department will be very satisfying. This is a great state, and I am proud and humbled by this opportunity to serve."

Dr. Lakey is board certified in both adult and pediatric infectious disease. After graduating with honors from Rose-Hulman with a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1986, Dr. Lakey went on to earn his medical degree from the Indiana University School of Medicine in 1990. He did his residency in internal medicine and pediatric medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, from 1990 to 1994, and completed a fellowship in adult and pediatric infectious disease there in 1998.

Dr. Lakey received a Career Achievement Award from Rose-Hulman's Alumni Association earlier this year.

In Texas, Dr. Lakey also serves as associate director for infectious disease and biosecurity at the UT Center for Biosecurity and Public Health Preparedness. He chairs a bioterrorism preparedness committee for 34 hospitals in East Texas, and he led development of the Public Health Laboratory of East Texas in 2002.

Dr. Lakey also developed the medical and public health management plan for his county in response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita. During Rita, the area opened 22 new shelters to assist 3,700 evacuees. One of these shelters, under the direct supervision of Dr. Lakey, cared for over 300 individuals with medical special needs and became a national model for medical special needs shelters.

Texas' Department of State Health Services has more than 11,000 employees statewide and an annual budget of $2.5 billion. The agency is responsible for the state’s public health programs, including immunizations, bioterrorism preparedness and state laboratory services; Kidney Health Care program; Children with Special Health Care Needs; Women, Infants & Children (WIC); mental health services; substance abuse services; and regulatory services for a variety of health care professionals, facilities and consumer health protection.