Pennsylvania Acting Health Secretary to resign, new acting secretary named

Harrisburg, Pa. – Governor Tom Wolf introduced that Division of Well being Performing Secretary Keara Klinepeter will resign her place with the commonwealth on April 22.

The governor additionally introduced his intention to call Doctor Common Dr. Denise Johnson to function Performing Secretary.

Klinepeter was named Performing Secretary in December 2021 following the resignation of Alison Beam, who later joined UPMC because the hospital’s Vice President of Authorities Affairs and Chief Authorities Relations Officer.

“Keara has been an asset to the Division of Well being and the Wolf Administration all through the COVID-19 pandemic, offering needed management and steerage to organize for the endemic section of the pandemic,” mentioned Gov. Wolf. “Thanks, Performing Secretary Klinepeter, on your management. You’ve got helped develop insurance policies, steerage, and finest practices to assist Pennsylvania’s public well being system all through the pandemic and through this transition which have made the lives of Pennsylvanians higher.”

Previous to Performing Secretary, Klinepeter served because the Govt Deputy Secretary for the Division of Well being and as Particular Advisor to the Secretary of Well being, the place she labored extensively on the COVID-19 response and vaccine administration.

Klinepeter additionally served because the Director of Rural Well being Innovation for the division, the place she was liable for designing, implementing, and increasing inhabitants well being initiatives that target social determinants of well being.

“Thanks to Governor Wolf, the Wolf Administration’s management staff, and the extremely devoted Division of Well being workers,” mentioned Performing Secretary Klinepeter. “Working alongside the Division of Well being’s devoted workers throughout a world once-in-a-lifetime pandemic has been an absolute honor. I’m happy with the work now we have achieved to higher the lives of all Pennsylvanians.”

Following Performing Secretary Klinepeter’s departure, Doctor Common Dr. Denise Johnson will assume the appearing place.

“Thanks to Gov. Wolf and Performing Secretary Klinepeter for his or her steadfast management, particularly throughout this attempting time for all Pennsylvanians,” mentioned Dr. Johnson. “The pandemic has modified many features of public well being right here in Pennsylvania and nationwide. I’m honored to guide the division throughout this transformative time in public well being and I stay up for persevering with to work intently with the great workers on the Division of Well being and guaranteeing our well being stays a prime precedence all through the commonwealth.”