Fallin comments on Doerflinger taking over State Department of Health after Commissioner's Resignation

Governor Mary Fallin Statement on Change of Leadership at State Health Department

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin tonight issued this statement on leadership changes being made at the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH):

“I applaud the Board of Health in taking swift action and making necessary changes to stabilize the financial situation. The board’s appointment of Secretary of Finance, Administration and Information Technology Preston Doerflinger is a step toward putting the agency back on firm financial ground. I know Secretary Doerflinger will lead the state Health Department with stable and capable leadership, as he did the Department of Human Services in 2012 when he served as interim director. Secretary Doerflinger has served on my Cabinet for seven years, and I have complete confidence in his ability to fix the financial problems that have occurred at this agency.

“My office has enlisted the help of the fiscal staff of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, the state attorney general’s office and the office of the state auditor and inspector to look into the matter to immediately investigate and bring forth clarity to the situation and offer solutions to ensure proper fiscal management of the state Health Department. Legislative leaders have been briefed about the situation.

“It’s critical to restore confidence in the operations and delivery of public health services. We will work with every resource available to get the agency back on firm financial ground.”