STATE
Gov. Whitmer Makes Appointments to the Bench
LANSING, Mich. —Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointments of Tanya Grillo to the 16th Circuit Court in Macomb County and Magistrate Tamara Garwood to the 15th District Court in the City of Ann Arbor.
“Today, I am proud to appoint Tanya and Tamara to the bench,” said Governor Whitmer. “These skilled legal professionals bring years of experience and dedication to their communities to their new roles. I am confident they will serve the people of Michigan admirably and uphold the rule of law.”
16th Circuit Court – Macomb County
Tanya Grillo, of Saint Clair Shores, is managed assigned counsel coordinator at the City of Southfield, an administrative hearing officer at the City of Mount Clemens, and the founding and managing partner at Grillo Law, P.L.L.C. She also previously served as regional manager at the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission for Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, and St. Clair Counties. Grillo is the president of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan’s Executive Board and is a board member of the National Conference of Women’s Bar Association.
Tanya Grillo holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Central Florida and a Juris Doctor from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
“I am deeply honored by Governor Whitmer’s appointment and grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Macomb County and the State of Michigan,” said Grillo. “I take this responsibility seriously and am committed to serving with integrity, fairness, and respect for the rule of law. I will work every day to uphold the trust placed in me and to serve with the dignity this office deserves.”
This appointment will be made to fill a partial term following the upcoming resignation of Judge Diane Druzinski. Judge Grillo’s term will expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2027.
15th District Court – City of Ann Arbor
Tamara Garwood, of Ann Arbor, is magistrate at the 15th District Court. Garwood previously served as attorney and partner at Baker, Stringer & Garwood, LLP. Garwood is co-chair of the State Bar of Michigan UPL Committee and an instructor for the Michigan Judicial Institute. In 2025, Garwood was awarded the A. Thomas Truesdell Distinguished Service Award by the Michigan Association of District Court Magistrates for Outstanding Dedication and Service.
Tamara Garwood holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from the Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University.
“I would like to thank Governor Whitmer for providing me with the opportunity to serve as the next judge of the 15th District Court,” said Garwood. I’m deeply honored and humbled by the appointment. It will be my privilege to continue to serve my community.”
This appointment will be made to fill a partial term following the resignation of Judge Karen Valvo. Judge Garwood’s term will expire at twelve o’clock noon on January 1, 2027.
-courtesy story
MDHHS issues statement about federal changes to childhood vaccine schedule
LANSING, Mich. – Following updates to the U.S. childhood immunization schedule made today by Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O’Neill, in his role as acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued the following statement:
“For decades, vaccines have played a critical role in the prevention and control of infectious diseases and significant reductions in childhood illnesses and fatalities.
On Thursday, Dec. 18, Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian issued a Standing Recommendation advising health care providers and families to follow the child and adolescent immunization schedule produced by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) or the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). We continue to stand by that recommendation.”
The underlying scientific evidence remains unchanged and continues to support the full AAP and AAFP vaccination schedules for children. Families should still be able to access the full range of childhood immunizations as recommended by the AAP and AAFP to protect their children from serious diseases.
All vaccines, including those moved to shared clinical decision-making, remain covered with no out-of-pocket cost by Affordable Care Act-regulated private insurance plans and federal coverage programs such as Medicaid and the Vaccines for Children program, as HHS affirmed in its announcement.
Bagdasarian noted that the changes announced today may create confusion for families and clinicians regarding school vaccine requirements, clinical workflows and the supply and use of combination vaccines.
“MDHHS will continue to provide clear guidance, backed by science to help protect Michigan families,” Bagdasarian said.
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