Wyoming hires new epidemiologist

Cheyenne, WY – Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead (R) recently announced the hiring of Dr. Mack Sewell as the state’s occupational epidemiologist to help the state improve occupational safety and health.

Sewell, who previously served as state epidemiologist for New Mexico, is tasked with continuing the work of Dr. Tim Ryan, who originally was hired on a temporary basis as part of a task force to address Wyoming’s high rate of workplace deaths. After issuing a scathing report last December that suggested safety in the state “occurs as an afterthought,” Ryan resigned from his post.

In a May 23 statement announcing Sewell’s hiring, Mead said the new position was “appropriate” for examining data and helping to address training and enforcement gaps.

The state previously announced the hiring of additional safety consultants to provide recommendations to businesses to improve occupational safety and health; expansion of such courtesy inspections was one of Ryan’s recommendations.