Deborah Parham, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., R.N., HRSA's associate administrator for HIV/AIDS, was promoted Nov. 1 to the rank of rear admiral in the U. S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.  Her promotion was recognized by HRSA Administrator Elizabeth M. Duke, Ph.D., during a Nov. 19 ceremony in Rockville, Md.
 
Parham was named associate administrator for HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) on July 29, 2002.   In this role, she is responsible for managing more than $2 billion for programs authorized under the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act (RWCA).   The RWCA program funds medical care, treatment, referrals and support services, including assistance in purchasing pharmaceuticals, to some 550,000 people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS throughout the United States and its territories.   In addition to HIV/AIDS programs, Parham oversees HRSA's Office for the Advancement of Telehealth and Center for Quality.
 
Parham served as HAB’s acting associate administrator between January 2002 and her permanent appointment and had been deputy associate administrator since November 2000.   Prior to that, she was director of HAB’s Division of Community-Based Programs.
 
Parham received a bachelor of science degree in nursing from the University of Cincinnati.   Her clinical practice was in neonatal intensive care nursing in Columbus, Ohio, and Washington, D.C.   In addition, she earned a master of science and a doctor of philosophy in health policy and administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.