Encouraging: DHHR split leaders have hard jobs ahead
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We're making progress on the split of West Virginia's Department of Health and Human Resources into three agencies. On Wednesday, Gov. Jim Justice announced the leaders of those new agencies.
Dr. Sherri Young will lead the Department of Health. She thanked the governor for the opportunity "to see what else can be done for the health of our West Virginia citizens. We have work to do and we have the right resources. We just need to align those resources so our citizens can have the care that they need and deserve."
It is encouraging to know Young understands the agency already has the right resources in place.
Dr. Synthia Persily will lead the Department of Human Services.
"This new vital agency will serve the most vulnerable people in our state, including children, families, and those in need of income and medical and healthcare assistance, those needing food and nutrition services, and those experiencing behavioral health challenges," Persily said. "My mission in this role will be to effectively lead this transition for this division while also respecting the dignity and rights of our employees, but also who we serve."
Persily appears to know just how complex her task has become.
And Michael Caruso will lead the Department of Health Facilities.
"I'm grateful and honored to join the team as well," Caruso said. "I am delighted to join the DHHR program. It's a great benefit for the state and I'm looking forward to joining the team as well and working with you."
Given his administrative background, Caruso should slide easily into the role of handling DHHR-owned hospitals.
Well-suited as they may be, this new team leading one agency pretending to be three (they will share an office and report directly to the governor) has to answer to more than the nearly 5,000 state employees in its charge. These leaders will have to answer to the people of West Virginia if enlarging the bureaucracy does not result in the improved service to Mountain State residents we were promised.
Again, this team seems ready to try to deliver those results. While we hope -- for the sake of so many vulnerable people who are counting on it -- that they are, the next several months will reveal the truth.