The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Biden-Harris Administration appointments.
HHS Chief of Staff Sean McCluskie, said, “Together, in the Biden-Harris Administration, we will tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, protect and strengthen the Affordable Care Act, expand access to quality, affordable health care, and advance health equity in communities across the country.”
These new appointees join tens of thousands of career officials throughout the agency, whose expertise is critical for tackling the ongoing public health crisis, ensuring Americans have access to quality, affordable healthcare, strengthening support for seniors and other vulnerable populations, conducting groundbreaking research, and more.
New appointees and their roles include:
Office of the Secretary
· Sean McCluskie, Chief of Staff Anne Reid, Deputy Chief of Staff Dawn O’Connell, Senior Counselor, COVID Response Sarah Despres, Counselor for Public Health and Science Kristin Avery, White House Liaison Kathryn Alvarez, Deputy Chief of Staff, COVID Response Perrie Briskin, Senior Advisor to the Chief of Staff David Kessler, Chief Science Officer, COVID Response Shannon Myricks, Deputy White House Liaison Esmeralda Orozco, Special Assistant for Scheduling AJ Pearlman, Chief of Staff, COVID Response Clare Pierce-Wrobel, Senior Advisor to the Chief of Staff Kashif Syed, Senior Advisor to the Executive Secretary Lizeth Zardeneta, Executive Assistant and Briefing Book Coordinator
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
· Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs
· Josh Peck, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Engagement Ian Sams, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (COVID Response) Kirsten Allen, National Press Secretary (COVID Response) Zachary Dembner, Press Assistant Sean Higgins, Press Secretary Luisana Pérez Fernández, Press Secretary
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation
· Kimberly Espinosa, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislation Kelsey Mellette, Special Assistant
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
· Ben Sommers, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response
· Kacey Wulff, Chief of Staff
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration
· Thomas Berry, Special Assistant
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health
Max Lesko, Chief of Staff for the Surgeon General Jessica Scruggs, Senior Advisor and Director of Scheduling and Advance for the Surgeon General
Office of the General Counsel
· Lisa Barclay, Deputy General Counsel Paul Rodriguez, Deputy General Counsel
Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs
· Marvin Figueroa, Director Yvanna Cancela, Principal Deputy Director Destiny Gregg, Confidential Assistant
Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
· Micky Tripathi, National Health Information Technology Coordinator Jordan Hefcart, Special Assistant
Office of Global Affairs
Karoun Tcholakian, Special Assistant to the Director
Administration for Community Living
· Alison Barkoff, Principal Deputy Administrator Reyma McCoy McDeid, Commissioner of the Administration on Disabilities
Administration for Children and Families
· Larry Handerhan, Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor Jose Garibay Medrano, Special Assistant for the Office of Refugee Resettlement Lanikque Howard, Director of the Office of Community Services and Senior Advisor on Asset Building Jenifer Smyers, Chief of Staff for the Office of Refugee Resettlement
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
· Arielle Woronoff, Director of the Office of Legislation
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
· Sonia Chessen, Chief of Staff
