Dr. Jeff Coben is nearing completion of his time as interim secretary of the state Department of Health and Human Resources.
His departure is effective July 5, next Wednesday.
Gov. Jim Justice named Dr. Sherri Young to serve as interim secretary of the agency until the statutory termination of the DHHR and creation of the successor departments of Health, Human Services, and Health Facilities on Jan. 1, 2024.
“Dr. Coben has done a tremendous job heading up DHHR and assisting through the many facets of the upcoming transition to three new departments,” Gov. Jim Justice stated in a news release announcing Coben’s departure and Young’s interim appointment.
“I ask all West Virginians to join me in thanking him for his service to our state. As he resumes his duties as the associate vice president for Health Affairs and dean of the School of Public Health at West Virginia University, I am also thankful for his continued leadership and vision on behalf of the people of West Virginia.”
Young, who has already been named secretary of the new Department of Health, thanked Justice for now naming her interim secretary for DHHR.
“Having the opportunity to help shape the future of public health for West Virginia is an honor,” Young said.
On May 24, at the same time the governor named Young to lead the new standalone health department, Justice also appointed Dr. Cynthia Persily to be secretary of the Department of Human Services and Michael Caruso to be secretary of the new Department of Health Facilities.
Coben was named interim secretary for DHHR last December, following Bill Crouch’s departure from the role.
After that, the Legislature pushed ahead with a bill to reorganize the agency, contending the restructuring would make it more accountable. DHHR had been under scrutiny over how the enormous agency handles a range of issues, including foster care, child protective services and the developmentally disabled.
Under the reorganization, the West Virginia Department of Health will include the Bureau for Public Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Center for Threat Preparedness, Health Care Authority, Office of Inspector General, and Human Rights Commission.
The West Virginia Department of Human Services will include the Bureau for Behavioral Health, Bureau for Child Support Enforcement, Bureau for Family Assistance, Bureau for Medical Services, Bureau for Social Services, and Office of Drug Control Policy.
The West Virginia Department of Health Facilities will include Hopemont Hospital, Jackie Withrow Hospital, John Manchin Sr. Health Care Center, Lakin Hospital, Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital, Welch Community Hospital, and William R. Sharpe, Jr. Hospital.
The three new cabinet secretaries will develop a memorandum of understanding to establish the Office of Shared Administration, which will provide shared services from centralized units such as finance, human resources management, management information services, and constituent services.