Indiana’s top social services official is stepping down. Dr. Jennifer Sullivan is leaving her position as the secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration. The Governor’s Office says she’s taken a job in North Carolina as the senior vice president of strategic operations at Atrium Health. Governor Holcomb has appointed FSSA Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dan Rusyniak to take over as secretary on August 1.
Sullivan headed FSSA since January 2017. During that time, the Governor’s Office says the agency was able to extend the Healthy Indiana Plan, improve the 211 system, expand On My Way Pre-K to the entire state, and lower the state’s infant mortality rate. Sullivan was a visible part of Indiana’s COVID-19 response, as the FSSA expanded SNAP, EBT, and mental health programs during the pandemic.
As chief medical officer, Dr. Rusyniak helped lead the state’s response to COVID-19 in long-term care facilities. Before coming to FSSA, he served as medical director of the Indiana Poison Control Center and held several positions at the IU School of Medicine.
Governor Holcomb said in a statement that “Dr. Rusyniak showed his true character and leadership skills on a statewide stage during the pandemic,” and he’s confident that he’ll seamlessly step into his new role.
