Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced his appointments to several Louisiana boards and commissions. 

Gov. Edwards announced appointments to the following boards and commissions:

Statewide Independent Living Council
The Louisiana Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) was established by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to support the efforts of our citizens with disabilities to live independently in the community of their choice. SILC works to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence, and productivity of individuals with disabilities, facilitating integration and full inclusion into the mainstream of American society. 

Bambi Polotzola of Opelousas is the executive director of the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs and has been reappointed to the Statewide Independent Living Council. Bambi has been a leader in disability issues for over a decade working with people with disabilities and their families as an educator and as a home and community-based service provider. She has served on state councils and boards of numerous disability-related non-profit organizations.  Her work has primarily been centered in capacity building and systemic change that supports people with disabilities and their families to be fully included and valued members of their communities. 

Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Advisory Council
The Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Advisory Council was created to address racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes and incorporate a community-engaged, equity-focused lens into current programs and campaigns which seek to prevent maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity. The council shall promote safe and equitable care for every mother and every birth in this state.

Shannon H. Robertson of Baton Rouge has been appointed to the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Advisory Council.  Shannon is the clinical quality director of the Louisiana Primary Care Association and leads the clinical initiatives, managing various quality improvement programs and grant funding opportunities.

Louisiana Emergency Response Network 
The Louisiana Emergency Response Network Board (LERN) serves to defend the public health, safety, and welfare by protecting the people of the State of Louisiana against unnecessary deaths and morbidity due to trauma and time-sensitive illness.

Carl “Jack” Varnado, Jr. of Livingston has been reappointed to the LERN Board. Jack is a Captain with the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office and previous deputy director of the St. Tammany Parish Communications District. He will represent the National Emergency Number Association.

John D. Jones, M. D. from Baton Rouge has been appointed to the LERN Board. Dr. Jones is the director of Emergency Medicine and member of the Executive Committee at the Baton Rouge General. He will represent a burn center verified by the American Burn Association.

David D. Daly, Jr., M.D., from Lafayette, has been reappointed to the LERN Board. Dr. Daly is a private practitioner with Cardiology Specialists of Acadiana. He has an ABMI certification in Cardiovascular Disease and International Cardiology. Dr. Daly will represent the Louisiana Chapter of the American College of Cardiology.

Interagency Coordinating Council for Early Steps
The Louisiana State Interagency Coordinating Council for Early Steps serves to advise and assist the Lead Agency in the performance of its responsibilities, particularly in regard to: (a) identification of the sources of fiscal and other support for early intervention services; (b) assignment of financial responsibility to the appropriate agency; and, (c) promotion of interagency agreements. The board also advises and assists the Lead Agency in the preparation of applications, the transition of infants and toddlers to preschool or other appropriate services at age three, and the preparation and submission of an annual report to the Governor and to appropriate federal authorities on the Status of Early Steps.

Kathyrne Downing Hart of Baton Rouge has been appointed to the Interagency Coordinating Council for Early Steps. Ms. Hart is employed by Albemarle as a Master Production Scheduler. She will serve as a parent of a child with disabilities age twelve or younger, with knowledge of or experience in programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities.

Leslie Doyle of Prairieville has been appointed to the Interagency Coordinating Council for Early Steps. Ms. Doyle is the Director of Early Childhood Academics and Improvement for the LA Department of Education. She will represent a state educational agency responsible for preschool services to children with special needs.

Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
The Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists is responsible for licensure and regulation of psychologists within the state.

Dr. Gina Lynn Gibson of Lafayette has been appointed to the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. Dr. Gibson is a neuropsychologist with the Department of Veterans Affairs. She was nominated by the Louisiana Psychological Association.

Dr. Michelle B. Moore of New Orleans has been appointed to the Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.  She is an associate clinical professor at the LSU Health Science Center. Dr. Moore was nominated by the Louisiana Psychological Association.

Louisiana Gaming Control Board
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board regulates all gaming activities under its jurisdiction in a manner which instills public confidence and trust that gaming activities are conducted honestly and free from criminal and corruptive elements; to ensure the integrity of individual gaming activities by the regulation of persons, practices, associations and activities within the gaming industry.

Julie A. Lewis of Monroe has been appointed to the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. Lieutenant Lewis is retired after 25 years with the Louisiana State Police. She will represent the 5th Congressional District and provide expertise in investigation and law enforcement.

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