PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Health is looking for new participants to sit on a number of its boards that license, certify and discipline a variety of health professionals, facilities and organizations.

Many of these groups – such as doctors, nurses, hospitals and nursing homes – provide direct health care services. Others, such as hairdressers, must take certain steps to protect the health of their clients or the environment.

The agency wants to expand involvement in the boards that oversee these professionals and entities to more appropriately represent minority populations. Board members represent both licensed health care professionals and the general public. All of the boards require participation from public members and most of the boards carry a three-year term.

In the initial recruitment effort, the agency is accepting applications through the end of December for the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline and the Board of Physician Assistants.

“The purpose of our boards is to protect the public by establishing standards for training and conduct, reviewing license applications and investigating and disciplining cases of professional misconduct,” said Dr. Michael Fine, the agency’s director. “We want the makeup of our boards to look like the makeup of our state. Traditionally, our boards have not been as diverse as we’d like, so we are reaching out widely to engage new members. This is a great opportunity to get involved in our state’s public-health infrastructure and process.” •