Keystone Today

Pennsylvania Department of Health Acting Secretary Keara Klinepeter has resigned from her position, and Gov. Tom Wolf (D-PA) announced that he will be naming current Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson as her replacement.

Wolf made the announcement about the move on April 18 and said that Klinepeter would be resigning on April 22. He thanked her for her work during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying that she provided necessary leadership and guidance to prepare for the endemic phase of the disease.

“Thank you, Acting Secretary Klinepeter, for your leadership," Wolf said, according to his website. "You have helped develop policies, guidance and best practices to support Pennsylvania’s public health system throughout the pandemic and during this transition that have made the lives of Pennsylvanians better."

Keara Klinepeter | LinkedIn

Before her position as acting secretary, Klinepeter was the executive deputy secretary for the Department of Health and also was a special advisor to the secretary of health working on COVID-19 response. She was integral in rolling our the state’s vaccine program while working with hospitals to contain surges of the virus. Klinepeter has also served as the director of rural health innovation where she designed, implemented and expanded population health initiatives.

“Thank you to Gov. Wolf, the Wolf administration’s leadership team and the incredibly dedicated Department of Health employees,” Klinepeter, according to Official Pennsylvania Government Website. “Working alongside the Department of Health’s devoted staff during a global once-in-a-lifetime pandemic has been an absolute honor. I am proud of the work we have accomplished to better the lives of all Pennsylvanians.”

Johnson thanked the Wolf administration for the opportunity and also thanked Klinepeter for her work in helping Pennsylvanians during what has been a difficult time amid the pandemic.

“The pandemic has changed many aspects of public health here in Pennsylvania and nationwide,” Johnson said, according to the Official Pennsylvania Government Website. “I am honored to the lead the department during this transformative time in public health, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with the tremendous employees at the Department of Health and ensuring our health remains a top priority throughout the commonwealth.”