Heitkamp Statement on Dr. Mary Wakefield Being Named Acting Deputy Secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services Agency

Statement

U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today issued the following statement after North Dakota native Dr. Mary Wakefield was named the Acting Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS).

The position makes Wakefield the second in command at the federal agency which oversees health care, health research, disease control, children and families, and many other divisions. Wakefield served as Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration -- one of the offices within HHS -- since February 20, 2009 -- where she expanded access to health care and built out the country's health care workforce.

"No one is more deserving of this leadership role than Dr. Wakefield," said Heitkamp. "Mary and I have been good friends for decades -- long before either of us got involved in public service. She has proven throughout her extensive career working to expand access to health care in North Dakota as a nurse and during her time at the University of North Dakota, as well as across the country through her role in the Administration, that she is a force to be reckoned with. Her upbringing in a small town in North Dakota -- just as I had -- shaped her into the person she is today and those small town values have never escaped her. She knows how to bring differing opinions together to reach solutions and she will bring that same work ethic and North Dakota sensibility to the Secretary's office. Mary particularly understands the importance of improving access to care in rural communities across the country -- including in North Dakota -- which she and I have spoken extensively about. It's great news for our state that we will have one of our own as the number two in command at HHS, helping to bring North Dakota priorities to the forefront. I'm thrilled for Mary and am incredibly proud to call her my friend."

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