Council makes Aiken’s ascent to Central Health board official

City Council on Thursday resolved the last lingering wisps of drama over a vacancy on Central Health’s board of managers. Council unanimously voted to appoint Abigail Aiken to the position, an act that validated the unanimous endorsement of the Health and Human Services Committee. Aiken’s seat is the only one on the board that is jointly appointed by both Council and the Travis County Commissioners Court. Last month, before the HHS Committee met, the court named Aiken its primary pick while dubbing Central Health critic Fred Lewis its backup choice. After the committee voiced its support for Aiken, the court followed suit by voting again and giving her its sole support. In a statement released by Central Health on Thursday evening, Aiken, a professor at the University of Texas’ LBJ School of Public Affairs, said, “Central Health’s mission matches my personal beliefs and professional experience. I am eager to apply my skills and insight from my experience in population research, as well as legislative barriers to health access. I believe this will help Central Health create a model healthy community.”