TL/DR –
Governor Janet Mills has appointed Deputy Commissioner Sara Gagné-Holmes as the Acting Commissioner of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, effective from June 1, 2024, following the departure of Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew. Gagné-Holmes, who has been a Deputy Commissioner since 2019, has a background in health policy and previously worked as a Health Policy and Legal Advisor in the Governor’s Office. Governor Mills is still considering candidates for the Commissioner role, and the nominated candidate will need to go through a confirmation process involving the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee and the Maine State Senate.
Deputy Commissioner Sara Gagné-Holmes to Serve as Acting Commissioner of Maine DHHS
On June 1, 2024, Deputy Commissioner Sara Gagné-Holmes will take the helm of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as Acting Commissioner. This announcement comes from Governor Janet Mills today.
Following Commissioner Jeanne Lambrew’s departure on May 31, 2024, Gagné-Holmes, in her role since 2019, will step up and lead the Department.
“With her broad experience and knowledge, plus the respect of her colleagues, Deputy Commissioner Gagné-Holmes is an excellent fit for the Acting Commissioner role,” stated Governor Janet Mills. “Her five years as Deputy Commissioner affords her a deep understanding of the Department’s operations, ensuring it remains in capable hands.”
“As the Acting Commissioner, I’m honored to advance the Department’s mission of ensuring health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people,” expressed Deputy Commissioner Sara Gagné-Holmes. “I’m eager to build on Commissioner Lambrew’s transformative leadership during this transition.”
Gagné-Holmes graduated from Bowdoin and attained a law degree from the University of Maine School of Law. Before joining Maine DHHS in 2019, she practiced law focused on health care and served as a Health Policy and Legal Advisor under Governor Baldacci.
Earlier this month, Governor Mills declared that Commissioner Lambrew will be stepping down to lead national health policy development and teach at Harvard University. A nominee for Commissioner is expected to be announced by the Governor in the following weeks.
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