Mississippi Department of Health Names OSHR Director

JACKSON, Miss. (VDN) — The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) has appointed Dr. Kina White as director of the Office of State Health Planning and Research (OSHR). This is a newly established office aimed at guiding Mississippi’s long-term healthcare strategy.

MSDH Executive Director and State Health Officer, Dr. Dan Edney, created OSHR as part of an effort to reimagine the state’s Comprehensive Health Plan. Housed within the Mississippi Center for Rural Health and Population Studies, the office will utilize population health metrics to assess healthcare needs and inform policy decisions.

“The plan will include a true healthcare needs assessment to better inform our state of how we need to distribute healthcare personnel and assets,” said Dr. Jennifer Gholson, director of the center. “In accomplishing this bold goal, the office required someone with vision and passion for the work. We are pleased Dr. White will lead this innovative effort to shape the strategic direction of state health planning, policy development and research initiatives.”

White brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare leadership and research. She began her career as a post-graduate health administration fellow at Mississippi Baptist Health Systems and has since focused on improving community and population health outcomes, particularly for underrepresented populations.

“I am honored to take on this role and contribute to a healthier future for Mississippi,” White said. “By leveraging population health metrics and conducting a comprehensive healthcare needs assessment, we can gain deeper insights into our state’s challenges and opportunities. This data-driven approach will allow us to target resources effectively, drive meaningful improvements and ensure that every community gets the support it needs to thrive.”

White holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi, a Master of Health Services Administration from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a Doctor of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from Jackson State University. She also completed an NIH-R25 Clinical and Community-Based HIV/AIDS Research Training fellowship at Brown University and serves as an adjunct faculty member at Belhaven University.

For updates and more information, visit www.msdh.ms.gov or follow MSDH on social media. The MSDH Healthy App is available for download on Apple and Android devices.