Who will helm WA’s health care agencies? Ferguson announces 2 temporary appointments

Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson on Thursday announced two temporary health-care agency appointments.

Jessica Todorovich will serve as acting secretary of the Department of Health, and MaryAnne Lindeblad has been named acting director of the Health Care Authority (HCA). Both appointments take effect Wednesday, Jan. 15.

“We must reform our health care system to lower costs and improve access for Washingtonians,” Ferguson said in a Jan. 9 news release. “I am thankful these experienced individuals are stepping into such critical roles while we conduct a national search for these important positions.”

For the past dozen years, Todorovich has served as the health department’s chief of staff, and she’s worked in state government for more than 25 years, according to the release. She is tasked with overseeing the agency’s daily operations with a focus on service delivery, culture and people.

Lindeblad has worked as the state’s Medicaid director and her resume features various other health-related roles, including with HCA and the Department of Social and Health Services. She also has served as assistant administrator of the Public Employees Benefits Board and today sits on boards including the Olympia Free Medical Clinic and the Arcora Foundation, among others.

Earlier this week, Ferguson tapped Julie Meredith, assistant secretary of the Washington State Department of Transportation, to lead that agency. Two reappointments were also announced Monday: Charlie Clark as director of the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions and Michael MacKillop as executive director of the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind.

Ferguson has made a string of appointments — and reappointments — over the past several weeks. Tim Lang was picked to helm the Department of Corrections, for instance, and Joel Sacks was reappointed to head the Department of Labor and Industries.

Ferguson said in November that he was seeking to fill leadership roles at nine state agencies, including at the health department and HCA.

Simone Carter

The Olympian

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