Kentucky Health and Family Services chief retiring, Dr. Steven Stack will succeed him
From left, Dr. Steven Stack, CHFS Secretary Eric Freidlander and Gov. Andy Beshear at Beshear's Thursday press conference. (Screenshot)
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander will retire Aug. 1, Gov. Andy Beshear announced Thursday.
Kentucky Public Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack will succeed him as CHFS secretary.
The sprawling cabinet has a broad range of health and social services duties, from protecting children and vulnerable adults to administering the Medicaid program and inspecting nursing homes. It oversees billions of dollars in state and federal spending.
Speaking of the two men, Beshear said 'their level of service goes beyond mere professionalism.' He raised them for 'living out their values at the highest level, selflessly serving all of our neighbors.'
Both Stack and Friedlander were instrumental in guiding Kentucky through the COVID-19 pandemic and pushing back against vaccine misinformation.
'It has been an honor to serve,' Friedlander said during Beshear's weekly press conference.
He also said his job over the last few years would have been more difficult 'if we didn't have a governor that actually believed in science.'
Stack echoed that, thanking Beshear for supporting 'me in being able to be factual and straight with the people of Kentucky.'
'It feels now that we're entering a third act with all sorts of challenges coming from the federal government,' Stack said. 'Public health and health and family services is essential to ensuring that we have healthier people and healthier communities. If we fail to invest in these services and supports to ensure that all of us have the opportunity to thrive, we will all be worse off for it.'
Beshear said the choice of Stack's replacement will be 'collaborative.'
Friedlander has been in his current role since 2020, though he's worked in the cabinet for about four decades. He formerly worked as chief resiliency officer for the Louisville government.
This story will be updated.
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