Maximus unveils new public health shop

Maximus has stood up a new public health organization to work with federal, state and local government agencies on their response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Those efforts will include providing health information and COVID-19 test results through Maximus’ citizen engagement centers and supporting contact tracing efforts in key states and counties across the nation, the company said Wednesday.

Maximus Public Health will be led by Dr. Andrew Sommers, a former senior policy adviser from the Health and Human Services Department, where he supported the office of health policy and assistant secretary for planning and evaluation.

In that role, Sommers managed a portfolio covering epidemiologic investigations into infectious diseases such as hepatitis, Zika and Ebola.

The MPH arm will collaborate with academic partners, conduct research, and expand partnerships with public health agencies, healthcare providers, data analytics platforms, and industry partners to serve as a resource to government in developing their public health strategies.

MPH is initially supporting efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 and toward the purchasing and distribution of vaccines. Longer-term, the collaboration will also focus on preparedness and effective response to future health crises.

Sommers is one of six initial hires joining Maximus to establish the MPH group’s mission and structure alongside senior director Corinna Dan; directors Amber Cox, Karin Hoelzer and Samuel Washington; and geographic information system analyst Jonnell Sanciango.