Pennsylvania acting health secretary to resign, new acting secretary named

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Gov. Tom Wolf introduced Monday that Department of Health Acting Secretary Keara Klinepeter will resign her situation with the commonwealth on April 22.

The Governor’s office environment says Klinepeter is deciding upon to resign to get time to put together for the start of her initial child in June.

Klinepeter was named Acting Secretary in December 2021 subsequent the resignation of Alison Beam, who afterwards joined UPMC as the hospital’s Vice President of Authorities Affairs and Main Governing administration Relations Officer.

“Keara has been an asset to the Division of Wellbeing and the Wolf Administration throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, furnishing important management and direction to prepare for the endemic stage of the pandemic,” claimed Gov. Wolf. “Thank you, Performing Secretary Klinepeter, for your management. You have aided develop guidelines, steerage, and finest techniques to support Pennsylvania’s general public wellness process all through the pandemic and during this changeover that have produced the life of Pennsylvanians better.”

Prior to Acting Secretary, Klinepeter served as the Government Deputy Secretary for the Office of Well being and as Unique Advisor to the Secretary of Overall health, the place she worked extensively on the COVID-19 reaction and vaccine administration.

Klinepeter also served as the Director of Rural Health and fitness Innovation for the department, exactly where she was dependable for building, applying, and increasing inhabitants wellness initiatives that concentration on social determinants of well being.

“Thank you to Governor Wolf, the Wolf Administration’s management crew, and the unbelievably committed Office of Overall health staff,” reported Acting Secretary Klinepeter. “Working together with the Department of Health’s devoted staff throughout a world once-in-a-life span pandemic has been an complete honor. I am very pleased of the work we have achieved to far better the life of all Pennsylvanians.”

The governor also introduced his intention to title Health practitioner Standard Dr. Denise Johnson to serve as Performing Secretary.

“Thank you to Gov. Wolf and Performing Secretary Klinepeter for their steadfast leadership, specifically for the duration of this seeking time for all Pennsylvanians,” claimed Dr. Johnson. “The pandemic has altered several aspects of public well being in this article in Pennsylvania and nationwide. I am honored to direct the office for the duration of this transformative time in general public health and I seem forward to continuing to do the job intently with the great employees at the Division of Overall health and guaranteeing our health continues to be a top precedence all through the commonwealth.”