Head of Wisconsin's Department of Health Services Heading to Washington

Tuesday, January 19th, 2021 -- 9:57 AM

(WMTV) The head of Wisconsin’s Department of Health Services is heading to Washington later this week to take over the number two position with the federal health agency.

DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm has been nominated to serve as the deputy secretary in the Dept. of Health and Human Services, Gov. Tony Evers’ office announced early Monday morning.

She is expected to depart for Washington on Wednesday, the same day President-elect Joe Biden is sworn in.  Gov. Tony Evers congratulated Palm on her new role in the Biden administration, describing her effort at the head of Wisconsin’s health department during the coronavirus pandemic as “extraordinary.”

Evers also immediately picked Palm’s replacement at DHS, tapping someone with experience leading the agency through a pandemic.  The governor’s office announced Karen Timberlake, who served as DHS secretary under Gov. Jim Doyle, will serve as interim secretary.

Timberlake was in charge of the department during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. She is expected to take over next Monday.

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