Acting Secretary of Health resigning April 22

 Pennsylvania Acting Secretary of Health is leaving the Wolf administration on April 22. 

Gov. Tom Wolf said he intends to name Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson as Keara Klinepeter’s replacement. 

“Keara has been an asset to the Department of Health and the Wolf Administration throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, providing necessary leadership and guidance to prepare for the endemic phase of the pandemic,” Wolf said. “Thank you, Acting Secretary Klinepeter, for your leadership. 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.” 

 Prior to acting secretary, Klinepeter served as the executive deputy secretary for the Department of Health and as special advisor to the secretary of health, where she worked extensively on COVID-19 response, including helping to lead the state’s successful vaccine roll-out and working closely with hospitals to manage patient surges.  

Klinepeter also served as the director of Rural Health Innovation for the department, where she was responsible for designing, implementing, and expanding population health initiatives that focus on social determinants of health. 

“Thank you to Governor Wolf, the Wolf Administration’s leadership team, and the incredibly dedicated Department of Health employees,” Klinepeter said. “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.”