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Turbulence continues as another DHS assistant commissioner resigns

Asst. Commissioner Marie Zimmerman oversees Minnesota's sprawling Medicaid program, and acted as Asst. Commissioner in the state's health care administration.
Credit: KARE

ST PAUL, Minn. — Acting DHS commissioner Pamela Wheelock announced Friday that commissioner Marie Zimmerman intends to resign from the department on Sept. 10, 2019.  

Zimmerman currently presides over Minnesota's sprawling Medicaid program, and acted as Assistant Commissioner in the state's health care administration.

RELATED: Senators press DHS with tough questions

In a statement, Commissioner Wheelock said of Zimmerman, "Marie has shared with me that she intends to leave the department and her last day in the office will be Sept. 10. Marie’s first priority will be focusing on recovering from a recent accident."

Wheelock praised Zimmerman's efforts saying, "Marie has been a driving force behind some of the largest and most consequential reforms in Minnesota’s Medicaid program, reforms that have improved the quality of care for enrollees, saved billions of dollars in our public health programs, and been hailed as national models by experts across the country."

Zimmerman represents another episode in a string of turbulence that has rocked the organization over the past months.

Previously, Commissioner Wheelock had announced in July 2019 that two of former commissioner Tony Lourey's deputy commissioners who had quit were coming back. 

Just last week, Wheelock announced that one them, Deputy Commissioner Claire Wilson, once again signaled her intent to resign on Aug. 30.  

RELATED: Shakeup continues at MN Department of Human Services

Wheelock has announced Zimmerman will be replaced by incoming commissioner Jodi Harpstead, who will start next week.  

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