ALUMNI PROFILES
Lauri K. Kalanges, MD, MPH (Graduated May 2004)
Recently
promoted to the Medical Director for Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention with the Texas Department of State Health Services
I am currently the Medical Director for the Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention with 
the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Texas, with its vast and varied geography and population, many of whom are uninsured, presents significant and ongoing public health issues. Safety net health programs provided by statewide health care agencies are often the sole means of health care contact for many individuals in Texas. The Community Health Services Section maintains the federal and state funding, policy, contracts, and monitoring to the many and varied health care agencies throughout the state that provide these direct safety net health services in the areas of reproductive health, breast and cervical cancer screening, and primary care.
As the Medical Director, I serve as the senior medical advisor to these safety net programs. I initiate, lead, and promulgate program clinical policies, protocols, evidence based guidelines and any new section health initiatives. I perform high level complex consultation in the development of health policy and programs within my section, the division, and the agency. I initiate, design, identify funding sources and conduct research including surveys and clinical research which includes facilitating partnerships between the state health department and academic institutions. I lead and participate in the design and implementation of professional education training activities for reproductive and women’s health programs and DSHS clinical staff. Finally, I serve as chair, member, and/or liaison with medical, professional, community, and other advocate groups regarding women’s health programs.
I joined the state health agency in May, 2007 as the Medical Director for the unit within the above noted section. Within one year, I was promoted to my current position at the section level whereby my responsibilities greatly expanded to include the section, division, and agency. I credit UMass School of Public Health with providing the knowledge, skills, and abilities for me to fulfill a successful and effective career as a public health professional.
My career into public health took a “nontraditional” route. My clinical career spanned 18 years with a specialty in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery in Ohio and my home state of Nevada. I pioneered two humanitarian public health programs in Nevada related to domestic violence and breast cancer. These two programs initiated my interest in public health and I decided to “follow my calling” and transition into a full time career in public health. I soon realized that a mid-life career change required the requisite mid life graduate education to fully prepare me. I chose the UMass Public Health Practice MPH program because the fully accredited program is part of a leading school of public health at a major, well respected university, and the courses are taught by doctorate faculty members. My life and professional goal is to continue to make a difference in my community. I thank UMass School of Public Health for helping me to continue to fulfill my goal on a daily basis.
As the Texas State Capital, Austin is a wonderful city filled with an eclectic mix of arts, culture, government, university, and environmental sensitivity. Newcomers are welcomed kindly. And in my two short years here, I have to admit that I even have picked up some of the dialect. Y’all come visit real soon!
