Dr. Gary Wheeler

Commissioner Wheeler is the Arkansas Department of Health designee and has served on the Commission since 2017.

Commissioner Wheeler holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina, a Master of Arts Degree from the University of Chicago, an M.D. from Baylor College of Medicine, and a Masters of Public Service from the Clinton School of Public Service. He is currently the Chief Medical Officer at the Arkansas Department of Health. In that position, Commissioner Wheeler oversees the HIV, STI, tuberculosis, communicable disease and immunization sections of the Arkansas Department of Health, as well as the current Ebola preparedness efforts. He works on multiple levels to prevent and treat tobacco addiction, prevent childhood obesity and improve vaccine coverage for Arkansans. His professional licensures include the Arkansas State Medical Board and the American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatric Infectious Diseases. He also holds certifications in Allergy and Immunology from the American Board of Allergy & Immunology and Infectious Diseases from the American Board of Pediatrics. He serves as adjunct professor for UAMS instructing of the subject of infectious diseases and professor at the University of Arkansas’ Fay Boozman College of Public Health.