Gov. Walker has announced that Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary Dennis G. Smith is stepping down and is being replaced by DHS Deputy Secretary Kitty Rhoades.

Prior to being appointed to her current position in January 2011, Rhoades served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1999 until her retirement in 2010. During her legislative service, Deputy Secretary Rhoades served as the co-chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Finance and served on the Health and the Aging and Long-Term Care standing committees. She has received numerous awards from advocacy groups in recognition of her leadership on long-term care issues, including her support for the development of consumer driven programs.

“I would like to thank the Governor for this great opportunity to move Wisconsin forward,” Rhoades said. “Wisconsin has been a leader in reforming our health care system, and with the Governor’s innovative proposals, we will continue this tradition.”