Contact: Ranjit Arab, University Relations, (785) 864-8855.
LAWRENCE - U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen has named University of Kansas School of Medicine alumnus Dr. J. Jarrett Clinton to the highest medical position within the Department of Defense.
Clinton, who received his medical degree from KU in 1964, was recently appointed acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs. He will serve as the principal staff assistant and adviser to the secretary and deputy secretary of defense and under the secretary of defense for personnel and readiness. His duties will include overseeing health policies, programs and activities in the defense department.
Since March 2000, Clinton has been deputy assistant secretary of defense for health operations policy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs).
A rear admiral in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, Clinton has had several positions in the Department of Health and Human Services. From 1994 to 2000, he was a regional health administrator for eight southeastern states. Prior to that, he was the administrator for the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.
From 1984 to 1988, he was deputy assistant secretary of defense for professional affairs and quality assurance, Office of Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs).
Clinton is board-certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine and has a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University.