The distinguished Greek professor and member of the USA Govermnent
Achievements

The distinguished Greek professor and member of the USA Govermnent

Dr. George Sigounas became Administrator for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) on May 1, 2017, and is Professor and Director of the Department of Hematology / Oncology at East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine.

Dr. Sigounas earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry from the University of Patras in Greece, a Master of Science in physiology and biology from Northeastern University, and a Ph.D. in cell biology and physiology from Boston University.

 

 

The Health Resources and Services Administration is the primary Federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services responsible for improving access to health care for people who are geographically isolated and economically or medically vulnerable. As Administrator, Dr. Sigounas oversees the execution of HRSA’s $11.7 billion annual budget (FY 2019) that is used to expand access to quality health care through an array of grants to state and local governments, health care providers and health professions training programs.

Under Dr. Sigounas’ leadership, HRSA has served more than 27 million people across the country through the Health Center Program, reaching more people than ever before. The agency has strengthened the healthcare workforce and connected skilled professionals to underserved urban and rural communities, including supporting approximately 12,800 clinicians from the National Health Service Corps and NURSE Corps to provide medical, dental, and mental health services to over 13 million Americans.

 

 

HRSA has supported public health services for nearly 56 million pregnant women, mothers, children, and families. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program has provided primary medical care, medications, and support services to over 535,000 patients diagnosed with HIV in the United States.

Dr. Sigounas has advanced Departmental priorities, including addressing the opioid epidemic through the integration of behavioral health into primary care and HIV care settings, expansion of the behavioral health workforce, increased access to evidence-based prevention and treatment services, and health in rural communities.

 

 

Before coming to HRSA, Dr. Sigounas spent 23 years as a Professor of Medicine at East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine in Greenville, NC where he directed the Cellular Therapies Clinical Unit, which provided the Bone Marrow Transplantation Program with the cells used to transplant cancer patients. From 1987 to 1994, Dr. Sigounas was a scientist and researcher at the National Institutes of Health and the Naval Medical Center. Through the years, his research efforts have resulted in several U.S. and international patents as well as peer-reviewed publications.

For more than 25 years, Dr. Sigounas taught and trained a broad spectrum of students, including undergraduates, graduates, medical students, residents and fellows. He was also a mentor to numerous junior faculty and worked collaboratively with many clinicians and scientists. Dr. Sigounas has been a member of several professional societies and served on numerous University, National and International committees, including Academia, Federal Government and Private Sector.

 

 

Dr. Sigounas is a member of many professional associations and has served in numerous University, National and International Committees, such as Academia, the Federal Government and the Private Sector.

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