(Indianapolis, IN) - A person leading Indiana's new public health initiative has strong ties to the state, the CDC, and leading drug manufacturers.

Earlier this month, Governor Eric Holcomb announced the creation of a commission to study the state’s response to the pandemic, as well as other health issues.

This week, he appointed Dr. Judy Monroe to co-chair the commission. Monroe was Indiana’s state health commissioner before becoming deputy director at the CDC in Atlanta. She runs the CDC Foundation, a nonprofit that vaccine-makers Pfizer funds, Merck, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson, among other pharmaceutical companies.

Former State Sen. Luke Kenley was also named co-chair of the group. Fifteen other commission members have yet to be announced. The commission will study the state’s handling of COVID-19, in addition to other public health issues like infant mortality and preventative care.

They will finish their study next summer and advise the General Assembly on possible legislative changes.