Dr. Kristina Box to retire from state health department
May 17—Dr. Kristina Box will retire as state health commissioner of the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) effective May 31.
Gov. Eric Holcomb has appointed IDOH's chief medical officer, Dr. Lindsay Weaver, as the state health commissioner.
"I respect no one more and am so pleased she'll get to enjoy her next chapter, which is focusing on her family," Holcomb said. "I could not have had a better partner in this role, especially in this time. She genuinely cares about the health and well-being of every single Hoosier, and because of her dedication to the betterment of our overall public health system, the state is at the forefront of transformational change that will result in a healthier Indiana."
Holcomb appointed Box as state health commissioner in October 2017. Under her leadership, IDOH launched the Governor's Public Health Commission, implemented My Healthy Baby statewide, conducted the state's initiative in preventing lead poisoning in children, and perhaps most notably, led the state's response to COVID-19, becoming a familiar face to anyone watching the state's regular, widely publicized updates.
"It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to serve this administration, the Indiana Department of Health and Hoosiers across the state," Box said. "The past five and a half years have been filled with challenges and opportunities unlike any that public health has ever encountered, and the public health workforce across the state has met those challenges with a heart and determination that have inspired me every day.
"I am incredibly proud of the work being done and will forever be grateful to those who continue to make improving the health and wellbeing of Hoosiers a priority."
Weaver currently serves as the chief medical officer for IDOH. She is an assistant professor of clinical emergency medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine, and she continues to practice medicine at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. She chairs the Indiana Commission for Women.
"Taking over the position of state health commissioner from Dr. Box is an enormous responsibility, and it is an honor to follow in her footsteps," Weaver said. "Dr. Box has provided exceptional leadership during the past six years and her commitment to public health has been an inspiration to many. I look forward to building on her legacy."
House Democratic Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, issued a statement following the announcement:
"We're grateful for the steadfast leadership of one of the finest Hoosiers, Dr. Kristina Box. Her time as state health commissioner for the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) was not without challenges, including the most significant pandemic in recent memory, but Dr. Box did not waver. She played a vital role in ensuring Hoosiers were on track to make the right decisions for our health and keep ourselves, and others, as safe as possible.
"Her work on the Governor's Public Health Commission has ushered in a public health framework that I hope proves transformative for all Hoosier communities. Dr. Box's service to Hoosiers will be greatly missed.
"We look forward to working with Dr. Lindsay Weaver as she steps into the state health commissioner role and implements the findings from the Governor's Public Health Commission report and Senate Enrolled Act 4."