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MDHHS Director Robert Gordon resigns, Whitmer won't say whether she asked him to

January 26, 2021
<p>Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medial Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, provided an update on COVID-19 in Michigan on Dec. 1, 2020. Photo courtesy of Michigan Executive Office of the Governor. </p>

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Chief Medial Executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, provided an update on COVID-19 in Michigan on Dec. 1, 2020. Photo courtesy of Michigan Executive Office of the Governor.

Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Robert Gordon resigned last Friday. Gordon announced his resignation in a tweet saying, “Today, I am resigning from the Whitmer Administration. It’s been an honor to serve alongside wonderful colleagues. I look forward to the next chapter.” 

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appointed Gordon as director of MDHHS in January 2019. Previously he served as the senior vice president for finance and global strategy at The College Board, which is a non-profit organization that encourages high school students to continue their education. 

This resignation comes hours after Gordon announced the plan for restaurants to open at 25% capacity Feb.1. 

The governor appointed Elizabeth Hertel as the new director of the MDHHS.

“Elizabeth Hertel has dedicated her career to protecting Michiganders’ public health, and she is uniquely prepared to lead MDHHS as we continue working together to end the COVID-19 pandemic,” Whitmer said in a press release late Friday afternoon. 

Hertel served as the senior chief deputy director for administration for MDHHS. His job included handling external relations and communications, finance and administration legislative services and legal affairs. 

Whitmer and Gordon did not mention the cause for this resignation. At a press conference Friday, Whitmer did not say whether she asked Gordon to resign even after she was asked multiple times.

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