KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT BILL GRAVES, GOVERNOR Gary R. Mitchell, Secretary

November 10, 1997

Contact: Don Brown

(785) 296-1529

Secretary Announces Reorganization at KDHE

As part of a renewed effort to improve efficiency at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Secretary Gary R. Mitchell has announced several organizational improvements. The changes are designed to enhance customer service.

"Some of these changes come as a result of input from the Kansas Legislature," Mitchell said. "All of the changes represent the Graves Administration's vision for a better, more responsive, and user-friendly Kansas Department of Health and Environment."

A reorganization is underway in the Division of Environment. The Office of Science and Support will merge with the Bureau of District Operations to become the new Bureau of Environmental Field Services. Water quality certification activities formerly handled by the Office of Science and Support will be transferred to the Bureau of Water. And finally, a planning and communication unit will be created in the Division of Environment to enhance planning and to provide assistance to the various programs within the division.

"I believe these changes will improve the efficiency of our Division of Environment," Mitchell said. "As we implement the new organizational structure, we have a goal of improving our service to both the general public and the regulated communities we serve."

The Office of the Secretary at KDHE is also changing. The 1997 Kansas Legislature authorized Mitchell to transfer up to four existing positions to the secretary's office. As a result, Mitchell has hired three assistants to help him in the day to day management and operation of the agency. Carolyn Duwe is the Assistant to the Secretary for Health Policy. Barry Greis is the Assistant to the Secretary for Internal Management. And Jim Murphy joins the team as Assistant to the Secretary for Fiscal Management.

"With an agency as diverse as KDHE, it's important to have a strong management team in place," Mitchell said. "These new assistants will help me and Assistant Secretary/General Counsel Linda Fund make sure KDHE is working in the best interests of the people of Kansas."

With a renewed focus on customer service and a strong leadership team at the helm, Mitchell is committed to continued improvements at KDHE. "We are a regulatory agency dealing with thousands of customers daily. The decisions we make can literally affect millions of people. I will constantly review and, if necessary, revise the way we do business to make sure KDHE is efficient and effective."