Gov. Janet Napolitano has announced the resignation of Susan Gerard, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services.
That same day, July 3, the governor also announced the appointment of a new director for the Arizona Department of Veterans Services.
The news, which came via press releases, did not cite reasons for Gerard’s scheduled departure on Aug. 1, but included a statement from Gerard.
“I’d like to thank Governor Napolitano for giving me the opportunity to work at my dream job for the last three years,” Gerard said. “It has been a privilege to work for the people of Arizona and we’ve made some wonderful progress toward improving the quality and availability of health care. But I think this is the right time for me to move on. We have an excellent staff in place and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made.”
The release did label Gerard, a Republican former state representative and state senator, a “leader in the health care field for more than 20 years.” Gerard was appointed to lead the Department of Health Services in 2005.
“My thanks go to Susan for her commitment to Arizona, and for sharing her expertise with DHS,” said Napolitano. “She has been an outstanding public servant for more than two decades. Much of the progress we’ve made in health care is a direct result of legislation Susan introduced and improvements she made at DHS. She will remain a positive force for Arizona health care.”
A following release was then issued, noting that Napolitano’s health adviser January Contreras has been named to serve as the department’s acting director.
The announcement also marked the introduction of retired U.S. Army Colonel Joey Strickland as the new director for the Arizona Department of Veterans Services.
Strickland has taken the place of Richard “Gregg” Maxon, who served as Assistant Adjutant General for the Arizona National Guard prior to his appointment.
Napolitano spokeswomen Jeanine L’Ecuyer said neither appointment nor Gerard’s resignation is related to recent reports of poor care of veterans occurring at the Arizona State Veteran Home.
The home, which is operated by the Department of Veterans Services, was found to have sent an elderly diabetic man home without supervision after he had received brain surgery. DHS inspectors reported that patients were in immediate jeopardy.
Gerard resigned in a “very congenial” letter dropped off the Governor’s Office July 3, said L’Ecuyer, who also noted that Maxon stated in May that he did not intend to serve the Department of Veterans’ Services after the completion of the 2008 legislative session.