Oklahoma Secretary of Health
Encyclopedia
The Oklahoma Secretary of Health is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate
, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on public health
issues and needs.
The current Secretary of Health is Terri L. White, who was appointed by Governor Brad Henry
in 2009.
issued an executive order spliting the former position of Secretary of Health and Human Services into the separate positions of Secretary of Health and Secretary of Human Services. The previous position was established, along with the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet, by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986
. The Act directs the Secretary of Health to advise the Governor on public health
policy and advise the state health agencies on new policy as directed by the Governor.
or as the Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
. As of 2010, three of the four Health Secretaries have served in one of those dual positions.
officer of the State. The Secretary oversees vaccinations, disease prevention, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and emergency health responses. The Secretary also is responsible for regulation of the State health delivery system as well as overseeing the State's Medicaid
program.
As of fiscal year 2011
, the Secretary of Health oversees 4812 full time employess and is responsible for annual budger over $5.2 billion.
Secretaries of Health (2003–present)
Oklahoma Senate
The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the two houses of the Legislature of Oklahoma, the other being the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The total number of Senators is set at 48 by the Oklahoma Constitution....
, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Secretary serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
issues and needs.
The current Secretary of Health is Terri L. White, who was appointed by Governor Brad Henry
Brad Henry
Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002...
in 2009.
History
The position of Secretary of Transportation was established in 2003 when Governor Brad HenryBrad Henry
Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002...
issued an executive order spliting the former position of Secretary of Health and Human Services into the separate positions of Secretary of Health and Secretary of Human Services. The previous position was established, along with the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet, by the Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986
Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986
The Executive Branch Reform Act of 1986 is an Oklahoma state law that requires the Governor of Oklahoma to organize the various departments, agencies, boards, commissions and other entities of the state's executive branch into a cabinet system.The Executive Branch Reform Act was signed into law by...
. The Act directs the Secretary of Health to advise the Governor on public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
policy and advise the state health agencies on new policy as directed by the Governor.
Dual Position
Oklahoma state law always for Cabinet Secretaries to serve concurrently as the head of a State agency in addition to their duties as a Cabinet Secretary. Historically, the Secretary of Health has also served as either the Commissioner of the Oklahoma State Department of HealthOklahoma State Department of Health
The Oklahoma State Department of Health is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Health. The Department is responsible for protecting the health of all Oklahomans and providing other essential human services...
or as the Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is an agency of the Government of Oklahoma responsible for providing public health services relating to mental illness and substance abuse...
. As of 2010, three of the four Health Secretaries have served in one of those dual positions.
| Name | Other Position Held (if any) |
|---|---|
| Tom Adelson Tom Adelson Tom Adelson is an American politician from Oklahoma. He is currently an Oklahoma State Senator representing the 33 Senate District, located in Tulsa County. Adelson is a Democrat who was first elected in 2004... |
|
| Terry Cline Terry Cline Dr. Terry L. Cline, Ph. D., is an American psychologist and public health policy specialist from Oklahoma. Cline is currently serving in the dual position of Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services and Commissioner of the Oklahoma State Department of Health... |
Commissioner, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is an agency of the Government of Oklahoma responsible for providing public health services relating to mental illness and substance abuse... |
| Michael Crutcher | Commissioner, Oklahoma State Department of Health Oklahoma State Department of Health The Oklahoma State Department of Health is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Health. The Department is responsible for protecting the health of all Oklahomans and providing other essential human services... |
| Terri L. White | Commissioner, Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is an agency of the Government of Oklahoma responsible for providing public health services relating to mental illness and substance abuse... |
Responsibilities
The Secretary of Health is the chief public healthPublic health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
officer of the State. The Secretary oversees vaccinations, disease prevention, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and emergency health responses. The Secretary also is responsible for regulation of the State health delivery system as well as overseeing the State's Medicaid
Medicaid
Medicaid is the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. People served by Medicaid are U.S. citizens or legal permanent...
program.
As of fiscal year 2011
2011 Oklahoma state budget
The Oklahoma State Budget for Fiscal Year 2011, is a spending request by Governor Brad Henry to fund government operations for July 1, 2010–June 30, 2011. Governor Henry and legislative leader approved the budget in May 2010...
, the Secretary of Health oversees 4812 full time employess and is responsible for annual budger over $5.2 billion.
Agencies overseen
The Secretary of Transportation oversees the following state entities:- Department of HealthOklahoma State Department of HealthThe Oklahoma State Department of Health is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Health. The Department is responsible for protecting the health of all Oklahomans and providing other essential human services...
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse ServicesOklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse ServicesThe Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is an agency of the Government of Oklahoma responsible for providing public health services relating to mental illness and substance abuse...
- Health Care AuthorityOklahoma Health Care AuthorityThe Oklahoma Health Care Authority is an agency of the government of Oklahoma responsible for purchasing health insurance benefits for Oklahoma's state employees and for the state's Medicaid recipients. The Authority is the state level counter-part to the national Centers for Medicare and Medicaid...
- Tobacco Settlement Endowment TrustOklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment TrustThe Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust is a public trust created by the State of Oklahoma to manage any money from settlements or lawsuits against any tobacco company...
Salary
The annual salary for the position of Secretary of Health set by State law at $80,000. Despite this, if the Secretary serves as the head of State agency, the Secretary receives the higher of the two salaries. Incumbent Secretary Terri White serves as the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health. As such, she receives the salary allowed for that position. As of 2010, the annual salary for that position is $124,000.List of Secretaries
Secretaries of Health and Human Services (1986–2003)| Name | Took Office | Left Office | Governor Governor of Oklahoma The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma... served under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ken Lackey Ken Lackey Kenneth "Ken" Lackey is an American businessman and politician from Oklahoma who formerly served as the President of the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa.... |
1995 | 1997 | Frank Keating Frank Keating Francis Anthony "Frank" Keating is an American politician from Oklahoma. Keating served as the 25th Governor of Oklahoma. His first term began in 1995 and ended in 1999... |
| Jerry Regier Jerry Regier Gerald P. "Jerry" Regier is an American businessman and politician from Oklahoma who is best known as first President of the Family Research Council.... |
1997 | 2002 | |
| Howard Hendrick Howard Hendrick Howard Hendrick is a Republican politician from the US state of Oklahoma. Hendrick was serving as the Oklahoma Secretary of Human Services, having been appointed by Democratic Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry in 2003.... |
2002 | 2003 |
Secretaries of Health (2003–present)
| # | Name | Took Office | Left Office | Governor Governor of Oklahoma The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma... served under |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Adelson Tom Adelson Tom Adelson is an American politician from Oklahoma. He is currently an Oklahoma State Senator representing the 33 Senate District, located in Tulsa County. Adelson is a Democrat who was first elected in 2004... |
2003 | 2004 | Brad Henry Brad Henry Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002... |
| 2 | Terry Cline Terry Cline Dr. Terry L. Cline, Ph. D., is an American psychologist and public health policy specialist from Oklahoma. Cline is currently serving in the dual position of Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services and Commissioner of the Oklahoma State Department of Health... |
2004 | 2006 | |
| 3 | Michael Crutcher | 2006 | 2009 | |
| 4 | Terri L. White | 2009 | Present |