Tennessee’s governor has come out in support of the health department’s recent actions that landed the state in the national spotlight — that being the firing of the state’s top vaccine official, Dr. Michelle “Shelley” Fiscus, which prompted questions about vaccine outreach to children.
Leadership That Fired Tennessee’s Top Vaccine Expert Gave Her Glowing Performance Reviews
According to performance reviews of Dr. Michelle Fiscus, the Tennessee vaccine official had been praised for exceeding expectations and being attentive to her team, which directly contradicts a memo that the health department sent to media outlets after her firing this week.
‘I’m Not A Political Operative’: Tennessee’s Ousted Vaccine Official Says Lawmakers’ Opinions Overrode Science
Fiscus was fired this week and has since landed squarely at the center of a national controversy. She says she was ousted because of an on-going battle between science and politics.
Lawmaker Asks For An Explanation Of Why State’s Top Vaccine Expert Was Fired
After the firing of Dr. Michelle Fiscus, the now-former medical director at the Tennessee Department of Health, Nashville Democratic Rep. John Ray Clemmons is calling for an explanation from the governor and the health commissioner.
‘Puzzled’ By Why The State Reversed Course, Nashville Will Still Share COVID Data With First Responders
Nashville’s public health department will continue to provide COVID-19 patient information to first responders, even though the state has decided to halt its own data-sharing policy by the end of the month.
What You Need To Know From Tennessee’s 171-Page Pandemic Plan
As the infection count for COVID-19 continues increasing, Tennessee is relying on its Novel Virus Pandemic Influenza Response Plan. That’s a 171-page document that lays out what steps the state should take to manage a highly infectious virus. WPLN News spoke to Tyler Whetstone, a government and politics reporter at the Knoxville News Sentinel who read the full document and shares some key takeaways.
Tennessee Health Officials Ask To Revive Anti-Smoking Spending After Years Of Nothing
Tennessee health officials say they’re making anti-smoking initiatives their top priority next year. That’s because the state ranks basically dead last in spending on smoking prevention, and it shows in the state’s overall health.
Tennessee Health Commissioner On Alert, But Thinks Ebola Risk Is Low
Health Commissioner John Dreyzehner says he doesn’t want Tennesseans to panic when they travel, and he wants them to pay attention to the facts about the disease.
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