Senate Joint Resolution 690 honors Dr. Randy Wykoff, the founding dean of the College of Public Health at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), as he prepares for his retirement at the end of the semester in May 2026. Dr. Wykoff has had a distinguished career in public health, serving not only as the dean but also as co-director of the Center for Rural Health Research at ETSU. He is a board-certified physician with extensive academic credentials, including four degrees from Tulane University, and has held significant positions in both academia and government, including senior vice president for International Operations at Project HOPE and deputy assistant secretary for health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The resolution highlights Dr. Wykoff's numerous achievements, including receiving the Surgeon General's Medallion, his published research in prestigious medical journals, and his induction into the Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame in 2022. It acknowledges his contributions to public health, particularly in rural areas, and his commitment to the community. The resolution concludes by extending heartfelt wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement and continued success in his future endeavors.