Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has named a new secretary for the state Department of Health and Human Resources.
Tomblin announced Wednesday the hiring of former Mountain State University School of Health Sciences Dean Karen Bowling.
Bowling will replace acting DHHR Secretary Rocco Fucillo July 1. Fucillo was appointed by Tomblin to the acting role last July.
“I’m pleased Karen has accepted this opportunity to serve the people of our state,” Gov. Tomblin said in a statement. “Karen’s commitment to the health and well-being of her community has been evident throughout her career and her community involvement-including her volunteer work as a Family Nurse Practitioner for the W.Va. Health Right Clinic.”
Bowling was born and raised in Wyoming County. Before taking the job at MSU last spring she was the president and CEO at Raleigh General Hospital.
Bowling earned nursing degrees from Bluefield State College and West Virginia University. She has also taken health care executive training.
Bowling has been very active in the Beckley community over the years including time as chairman of the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce. She has also served in leadership positions with the West Virginia Hospital Association including being the group’s chair in 2009-2010.
During the legislative session state lawmakers raised the salary of the DHHR secretary from $95,000 to $175,000.