Gov. Jared Polis introduced Thursday that Dannette Smith will take over as commissioner of the state’s 2-year-old Behavioral Well being Administration beginning March 18.
The company’s first commissioner, Dr. Morgan Medlock, served from January 2022 to April 2023. She alleged she was fired due to racial animosity, whereas some lawmakers stated she didn’t obtain objectives for the brand new company.
Michelle Barnes, govt director of the Colorado Division of Human Companies, served as interim head of the BHA after Medlock’s firing.
Smith has labored in human companies for 30 years, and most lately was chief govt officer of the Nebraska Division of Well being and Human Companies, which oversees behavioral well being, Medicaid and public well being packages, amongst different areas. Throughout her 5 years in Nebraska, she led a activity power to enhance the state’s behavioral well being system.
“The governor and his administration have laid a powerful basis for behavioral healthcare, and I sit up for utilizing my expertise to construct on this good work and proceed increasing companies in Colorado. I’m excited to get to work to assist break down boundaries to look after Coloradans, and produce the governor’s imaginative and prescient for a ‘Colorado For All’ to life,” Smith stated in a information launch.
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