Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has appointed two Wayne State University School of Medicine faculty members to the state’s Human Trafficking Health Advisory Board.

James Blessman, M.D., assistant professor of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, and Dena Nazer, M.D., associate professor of Pediatrics, now serve on the board. The state announced the appointments June 21. Dr. Blessman, of Orchard Lake, was reappointed to represent physicians licensed to practice medicine. He was recommended by Michigan Speaker of the House James Wentworth, and will serve through Dec. 31, 2025.

Dr. Nazer, of Detroit, is the medical director and child abuse pediatrician for Kids TALK Children’s Advocacy Center Medical Clinic. She also was appointed to represent licensed physicians, and was recommend by Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey. She replaces Subburaman Sivakumar, M.D., and will serve through Dec. 31, 2025.

The Human Trafficking Health Advisory Board was established to collect and analyze information concerning medical and mental health services available to survivors of human trafficking; to identify state, federal and local agencies involved with issues relating to human trafficking; and to coordinate the dissemination of information concerning medical and mental health services available to survivors.
 

Congratulations, Dr. Nazer!