March 13, 2002 - Elizabeth Duke Named Head of HRSA

Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson has named Elizabeth Duke to be administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, a position she has held on an acting basis for the past year. HRSA administers programs including the Maternal and Child Health block grant and Community and Migrant Health Centers. A long-time career executive in the Department of Health and Human Services, Duke served for four years as deputy assistant secretary in the Administration for Children and Families before coming to HRSA.

The top administrative positions in three major federal health agencies—the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Surgeon General—are currently vacant and awaiting appointments by President Bush.