Carol Etherington, MSN, R.N., associate professor of Nursing, emerita, was recently elected chair of the Metropolitan Board of Health of Nashville and Davidson County, and Alex Jahangir, M.D., MMHC, medical director of the Vanderbilt Center for Trauma, Burn and Emergency Surgery, joined the board as a member.
Etherington has been on the board since 2009 and has served as vice chair since 2014.
“I am honored to have been elected as board chair and look forward to working with board members, health director Dr. William Paul and the department on important public health matters and challenges to improve the health and well-being of everyone in Nashville,” said Etherington, who also serves as associate director of community health initiatives for the Vanderbilt Institute for Global Health.
Jahangir, associate professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, was appointed to the board by Nashville Mayor Megan Barry and approved by the city’s Metro Council.
“I am honored by the opportunity given to me. An effective public health system is an important component of the success of great cities such as Nashville,” Jahangir said. “I look forward to working with my fellow board members, as well as Dr. Paul and the dedicated staff of the Metro Public Health Department.”
The six-member Board of Health governs the department, which is charged with protecting, improving and sustaining the health of Metropolitan Nashville.