MADISON, Wisconsin (WMTV) – The head of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services is heading to Washington later this week to take the number two spot in the federal health agency.
DHS-appointed secretary Andrea Palm has been appointed to be the deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Governor Tony Evers’ office announced early in the morning. He is expected to leave for Washington on Wednesday, the same day President-elect Joe Biden lends.
Gov. Tony Evers congratulated Palm on his new role in the Biden administration, calling his effort at the helm of the Wisconsin health department during the coronavirus pandemic “extraordinary.”
“I know that he will continue to serve our country in the same way that our state has, with empathy, kindness and tenacity. I wish him all the best so that he can leave us to take advantage of this new opportunity,” he continued.
Evers also immediately chose Palm’s replacement at DHS, taking advantage of someone with experience at the helm of the agency for a pandemic.
The governor’s office announced that Karen Timberlake, who was DHS secretary in the government of Governor Jim Doyle, will serve as interim secretary. Timberlake was at the helm of the department during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. He is expected to take over next Monday.
“Karen Timberlake brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in public health, health and health systems that will be critical as we continue to distribute vaccines rapidly in our fight against this virus,” Governor Evers said.
In addition to serving as DHS secretary, Timberlake was recently a partner at Michael Best Strategies, Governor Evers’ office said. She has also served as director at the University of Wisconsin Institute of Public Health and has been an associate professor at the university.
“This pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges 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 advocate for the state to get its “fair share of federal government vaccines” and distribute them as quickly as possible.
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