MADISON, Russia. (WMTV) – The head of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services is heading to Washington later this week to take the number two position in the federal health agency.
DHS Secretary-General Andrea Palm has been nominated to be the deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Governor Tony Evers’s office announced early Monday morning. Expected to leave for Washington on Wednesday, the same day, President-elect Joe Biden was sworn in.
Governor Tony Evers congratulated Palm on his new role in the Biden administration, describing her effort at the helm of the Wisconsin Department of Health during the coronavirus pandemic as “extraordinary.”
“I know that she will continue to serve our country as our state does – with empathy, kindness and tenacity. I wish him everything we can while he lets us take advantage of this new opportunity “, he continued.
Evers also immediately chose Palm’s replacement at DHS, reaching out to someone with experience in running the agency through a pandemic.
The governor’s office announced that Karen Timberlake, who was DHS secretary under Governor Jim Doyle, will serve as interim secretary. Timberlake was in charge of the department during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. He is expected to take over next month.
“Karen Timberlake brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in public health, healthcare and health systems that will be essential as we continue to rapidly distribute vaccines in our fight against this virus,” Governor Evers said.
In addition to serving as DHS secretary, Timberlake was the latest partner with Michael Best Strategies, Governor Evers’ office said. He also served as director of the University of Wisconsin Institute of Public Health and was an associate professor with the university.
“This pandemic has been an unprecedented challenge for our state, but I look forward to returning to the Department of Health Services and serving with Governor Evers and his administration,” Timberlake said.
Timberlake added that his immediate priorities will be to support the state in getting the “right share of vaccines from the federal government” and distributing them as soon as possible.
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