PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Deborah Gist (gihst) has resumed her post as Rhode Island's elementary and secondary education commissioner two months after surgery to remove a brain tumor.
The state Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education voted to reinstate Gist as of Monday, though she returned to work last week. Acting Commissioner David Abbott has returned to his role as deputy commissioner.
Gist told The Associated Press last week she had ups and downs during her recovery but that she feels great.
She underwent surgery in September to remove a grape-sized tumor discovered in July after she suffered a concussion. Doctors had thought it was benign but Gist said it was found to be atypical, meaning it could have become malignant. Gist says doctors are confident they got the whole tumor out.
