Terri L. White

Terri L. White (born 1975) is an American social worker who is serving as the Oklahoma Secretary of Health. White was appointed by Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry in 2009, becoming Henry's fourth Health Secretary and the first women to hold that position. White serves concurrently as the Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, a position she has held since May 13, 2007.

Education and early career

White is a graduate of Edmond Public Schools in Edmond, Oklahoma. She received her Bachelors of Arts in social work in 1997 and a masters degree of social work in 1998, both from the University of Oklahoma. After graudating from OU, White accepted a position with the Oklahoma Senate where she would remain until 2001. While working for the State Senate, she worked as a policy analyst and then as a fiscal analyst. As a fiscal analyst, White worked for both the Human Services (2000–01) and the General Government and Transportation (1999–2000) appropriations subcommittees, analyzing budget requests and evaluating agency performance for twenty-seven state agencies.

ODMHSAS

White joined the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in 2001 and has served that Department in multiple capacities. In her time with the Department, she has served as Deputy Commissioner for Communications and Prevention, Director of Communications and Public Policy, and a Management Analyst. She has also served as the executive director of two ODMHSAS field facilities — the Tulsa Center for Behavioral Health Co-Occurring Unit and the Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center. Concurrently with each of these positions, White served as the chief liaison to the Oklahoma Legislature for the Department.^[1]

In 2007, while White was serving as the Department's Director of Communications and Public Policy, then Commissioner Terry Cline resigned after being nominated by (then) President of the United States George W. Bush to become the administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Following Cline's resignation, on May 13, 2007, the State Board of Mental Health appointed White Commissioner of the Department as Cline's successor. As Commissioner, White serves as the chief executive of the Department.

Secretary of Health

In January 2009, Governor Brad Henry, following the resignation of Mike Crutcher, appointed White to serve has his fourth Secretary of Health. As Health Secretary, Secretary White is responsible for overseeing the Oklahoma State Department of Health and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. White serves concurrently as both Secretary of Health and ODMHSAS Commissioner.^[2]

Personal life

White is married to Scott Reed of Oklahoma City.

External links

• Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services official website

See also

• Oklahoma State Cabinet

References

1. ^ "Terri White named commissioner of Okla. Department of Mental Health." The Journal Record. Retrieved 12-22-09
2. ^ "Gov. Henry names Terri White Health Secretary." Office of Governor Brad Henry. Retrieved 12-22-09