Dr. Mark Ghaly, who played a key role in California’s COVID-19 response, is stepping down as the Health and Human Service Secretary.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office announced that Ghaly will be transitioning out of his role by the end of September.
The big picture: Kim Johnson, the Director of the Department of Social Services, has been appointed as Ghaly’s replacement.
- During his tenure, Ghaly led California HHS since March 2019, comparable to Dr. Anthony Fauci’s role at the federal level.
What they’re saying: “Dr. Ghaly’s heroic service to the people of our state and his profound contribution to reshaping California’s health and social services cannot be overstated,” Newsom said in a statement. “For more than five years at the helm of CalHHS, his visionary and compassionate leadership and unwavering focus on protecting the most vulnerable among us has seen our state through unprecedented challenges and historic victories that improve the lives of Californians.”
