Public Health Ethics Committee
On November 30, 2020, the Pima County Health Department convened its first Public Health Ethics Committee to provide advice to the Director, and quickly pivoted to COVID-19 response and vaccine distribution.
Currently, the Committee meets regularly to review guidance on vaccine distribution and to consider local context and concerns. Local health departments are encouraged to review the CDC and State guidance. The Committee offers advice to the PCHD Director, which has been invaluable during the challenge of COVID-19 mitigation and vaccine distribution.
Current Membership
Dr. Theresa Cullen - Committee Co-Chair, PCHD Director *
Dr. Adalberto Renteria - Medical Director Pascua Yaqui Tribe
Wavalene Saunders - Vice Chairwoman Tohono O’odham Nation
Jacob Bernal - Executive Director, Tucson Indian Center
Alethea Do - Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation
Carolyn Trowbridge - PCHD Board of Health
Charles Geffrion - PCHD Board of Health
Brittany Kelly - Banner (North) Pharmacist, Banner Northwest Medical
Dr. Leila Barraza - University of Arizona College of Public Health faculty
Douglas Hanna - Captain, Pima County Sheriff’s Department
Sharon McDonough - Deputy Director Tucson Fire/EMS
John Carruth - Superintendent Vail School District
Pastor Grady Scott - Baptist Church, Tucson
Dr. Paul Melendez - University of Arizona Eller College Faculty
Nathan Ares- Prep and Pastry, local Tucson restauranteur
Dr. Dan Derkson - University of Arizona College of Public Health Director, Arizona Center for Rural Health and Health Sciences Associate Vice President for Health Equity
Mark Clark CEO/President - Pima Council on Aging
Mia Hansen- Disability Advocate
Vicki Cuscino - Direct Advocacy and Resource Center- Disability Community
Mona Arora - University of Arizona, College of Public Health faculty in undergraduate and graduate courses in Emergency Preparedness
Tom Davis – Chief of Staff, Pima Community College
Jason Thorpe - Collaborative Applicant Coordinator, City of Tucson Housing & Community Development Department
Staff representatives to Committee
Bonnie Bazata - Pima County Ending Poverty Now Program Manager, Community and Workforce Development
Kevin Koegel - PCHD Grants and Contracts
Manuel Montano - PCHD
* Pending Identification of Additional Co-Chair