KDHE Home - News 2000 - News Release
Kansas
Department of Health & Environment
Bill Graves, Governor
Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sharon Watson, 785-296-5795
State Public Health Laboratory Director Accepts Pennsylvania Role
Dr. Roger H. Carlson, director of the Kansas Division of Health and Environmental Laboratories, has accepted a position as director of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Laboratories. Carlson will begin his new duties in about 30 days.
"We will miss Dr. Carlson, but wish him the very best as he takes on new challenges," stated Secretary of Health and Environment Clyde D. Graeber. "The dedication and commitment that Roger Carlson has brought to Kansas will long be remembered. His leadership, talent, and skills have figured most prominently in assuring laboratory quality in our state."
Carlson has spent more than two decades with KDHE, starting as deputy director of the Office of Laboratories and Research in 1976. In 1978, he was named director of this office and was appointed to his current position at the senior management level of the agency in 1987.
Carlson holds a doctorate degree in environmental health science and a master's degree in microbiology with a minor in water resources from the University of Michigan. He earned an undergraduate degree in microbiology, with a minor in chemistry, from the University of Illinois.
As director of the Kansas laboratories division, Carlson has overseen all facets of testing and analysis of about 230,000 samples collected each year to monitor environmental health throughout the state, and to enable interventions and responses to diseases of public health interest. He has also been responsible for the state Laboratory Improvement Program, which evaluates and certifies more than 2,000 private laboratories that operate in Kansas.
"Through Dr. Carlson's leadership, Kansas has developed one of the most highly respected public health and environmental laboratories in the nation," said Graeber. "We will never be able to replace Dr. Carlson, but will do everything we can to make sure that his legacy of excellence and professionalism continues."
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