SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Gov. Susana Martinez has tapped Retta Ward to lead the state health department.
The governor made the announcement Friday. Ward has been serving as secretary of the state Aging and Long-Term Services Department since February 2011.
Before that, she managed the arthritis program for the Arizona Department of Health Services and worked as a health educator for Albuquerque Public Schools.
Martinez says Ward has a passion for public service and an understanding of our state's public health needs.
The governor appointed Gino Rinaldi to take Ward's place as secretary of Aging and Long-term Services. He has been the agency's deputy secretary since October 2011.
Rinaldi has also worked as a senior services administrator for Sandoval County and a manager at St. Joseph's Healthcare.
