PA Health Secretary resigns

Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Everette James announced that he is resigning as the state's top health official at the end of September and will assume the newly created position of vice chancellor for health policy and planning at the University of Pittsburgh on October 1.

James, who had been professor of health policy and management at Pitt's School of Public Health, has headed the health department for two years.

"Everette James has led the Department of Health through a period of significant public health challenges, and he met every one of those challenges with skill, compassion and professionalism," Governor Rendell said in a statement announcing James' resignation. Rendell has not yet named a successor to fill the post for the final four months of the governor's term.

"Everette James brings a deep understanding of health policy and planning and will play an instrumental role in furthering our relationships with governmental agencies and key health policy groups," said Arthur S. Levine, M.D., senior vice chancellor for the health sciences and dean of Pitt's School of Medicine. "Additionally, his experience as a respected advisor on policy and regulatory issues will be extremely valuable during this era of health care reform."

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