GOVERNOR NOMINATES HEATHER HOWARD AS
COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH AND SENIOR SERVICES

TRENTON - Governor Jon S. Corzine today nominated Heather Howard to be 14th commissioner of the Department of Health and Senior Services.

Howard currently serves as Policy Counsel to the Governor and would replace Dr. Fred Jacobs, who is leaving at the end of the year. Howard's appointment must be approved by the state Senate.

"Heather Howard is a trusted advisor with extensive knowledge of state and federal health care issues, and a deep commitment to improving the health and health care of the people of New Jersey," Governor Corzine said. "When working for me in the United States Senate, Heather successfully led the fight to protect New Jersey's PAAD and Senior Gold prescription assistance programs when the Medicare Part D prescription drug program was created and threatened to undermine them. Her work ensured a smooth transition for thousands of beneficiaries and saved the state millions of dollars.

"Here in the Governor's Office, Heather has worked closely with the Congressional delegation and the Department of Human Services to protect FamilyCare, a vital health care program for many working families, from threatened federal cuts. I know she will serve the people of New Jersey and the health care industry with great integrity."

Howard is a cum laude graduate of Duke University and New York University School of Law. She previously served as Chief of Staff to then-Senator Corzine, managing staff and operations for three offices and handling all aspects of policy development and legislative initiatives. She served in the Honors Program at the U.S. Department of Justice, investigating and litigating healthcare antitrust matters. Howard also served as policy advisor to President Bill Clinton, First Lady Hillary Clinton and Congresswoman Nita Lowey.

"I am honored to be nominated by Governor Corzine for this position and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of New Jersey," said Howard. "If confirmed, it would be a privilege to work with the outstanding professionals who work each day at the Department of Health and Senior Services."

Howard lives in Princeton with her husband and son.

The Department of Health and Senior Services oversees all aspects of public health services. It is responsible for oversight of health care institutions, hospital financing, public health and environmental laboratory services, senior services, health care policy and research, minority and multi-cultural health and preparedness for and response to all health-related aspects of terrorism.

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Photos and audio and video clips from Governor Corzine's public events are available in the Governor's Newsroom section on the State of New Jersey web page, http://www.nj.gov/governor/news/