MADISON, Wisconsin (WMTV) – The head of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services is heading to Washington later this week to take over the second position in the federal health service.
DHS Secretary-appo Andrea Palm has been nominated to serve as Deputy Secretary in the Department of Health and Human Services, Governor Tony Evers’ office announced early Monday morning. She is expected to leave for Washington on Wednesday, the same day President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in.
Gov. Tony Evers congratulated Palm on her new role in Biden’s administration and described her efforts at the head of the Wisconsin health department during the coronavirus pandemic as “extraordinary.”
“I know she will continue to serve our country and our state — with empathy, kindness, and tenacity. I wish her all the best as she leaves us to take advantage of this new opportunity, ”he continued.
Evers also immediately chose Palm’s replacement at DHS, speaking to someone with experience who led the agency through a pandemic.
The governor’s office announced that Karen Timberlake, who served as DHS secretary under Governor Jim Doyle, will serve as interim secretary. Timberlake was in charge of the department during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. She is expected to take over next Monday.
“Karen Timberlake brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in the areas of public health, healthcare and healthcare systems that will be critical if we continue to distribute vaccines quickly in our fight against this virus,” said Evers administration.
In addition to serving as DHS secretary, Timberlake was most recently a partner of Michael Best Strategies, according to Governor Evers’ office. She also served as director of the University of Wisconsin Public Health Institute and was an associate professor at the university.
“This pandemic has presented 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 her immediate priorities will be to make sure the state gets its “fair share of the vaccines from the federal government,” and distribute them as soon as possible.
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