Putting public health first at the health department
Gov.-elect Jay Nixon has named former state Rep. Margaret Donnelly to head the state Department of Health and Senior Services. We’re big fans of her work in the Legislature. We endorsed her in the Democratic primary for Attorney General.
But Ms. Donnelly is a lawyer, not a public health professional. With this appointment, Mr. Nixon continues Gov. Matt Blunt’s trend of picking people without significant public health experience to run the state public health agency.
Ms. Donnelly’s predecessor is Jane Drummond, a lawyer who practiced in Jefferson City before becoming general counsel in Gov. Matt Blunt’s office. Ms. Drummond replaced Julie Eckstein, who previously ran Healthy Communities St. Charles, not a large public health agency. During their tenures, the state health department has struggled to fulfill its crucial mission with chronically short budgets.
Ms. Donnelly played a key role on Medicaid issues during her time Legislature. She has been an effective advocate for children, elderly and the poor. But health care for the poor isn’t public health.
Public health is a way of assessing and protecting the health of a community or state. It uses statistics, records, inspections and vermin eradication to diagnose problems and protect against threats.
We have great respect for Ms. Donnelly’s skill, intelligence and integrity. But we have even more respect for public health and the professionals to are trained to perform its many responsibilities. Perhaps Mr. Nixon isn’t aware that St. Louis University has one of the nation’s best schools of public health. Or that nationally regarded Washington University is opening a new public health school, staffed by professors with extensive experience on state and national public health agencies.
We wouldn’t pick someone without a law degree to represent us in court. Neither should we expert someone without a public health background — no matter their competence as a legislator or lawyer — to run the state health department.
John G. Carlton is an editorial writer who covers health care, science, the environment and public utilities. Before joining the editorial page, "Doc" was the newspaper's medical writer for four years. He has also worked at newspapers in Connecticut and New York. He's fond of heavy sarcasm and light anti-tank weapons. He lives in west St. Louis County with his wife, Martha Madigan, their daughter Ana and an overly enthusiastic Australian Shepherd dog, Savannah. 
What I think Margaret will bring to this job is the ability to lead a group into decisions that are better for Missourians than the past administration. When you hire an executive you look for the ability to inspire people to do the work that needs to be done to meet the mission of the organization. We should look first and foremost at her leadership ability, and that’s unquestionable when we look at her track record. I think understanding the health needs of our fellow citizens and developing policies that meet those needs is what we require. And since the past administration turned its back on so many, what we need is a very strong leader. I’m confident Margaret is the women to do the job.
Margaret will bring to this job the ability to lead the departnment into decisions that are better for Missourians. When you hire an executive you want someone who can inspire people to do the work that needs to be done to meet the mission of the organization. We should look first and foremost at her leadership ability, which is significant, in my opionion when we look at her track record. We require the leadership of someone who understands the health needs of our fellow citizens and can develop policies that meet those needs. Her training as a lawyer and a social worker is a perfect background, especially when her expertise has been honed by an impressive track record as a state rep. I am confident Margaret is the woman to do the job.
It is distressing to read that Margaret is being criticized. She has been a leader recognized by both sides of the aisle regarding the need to expand healthcare for the children of our state. She’s been a longtime advocate for the aged, and was an expert in the procedures of the Divisions of Social Services, Aging and Mental Health programs. She brings a world of experience and proven leadership to these important areas. She has proven that she is tough minded and fiscally responsible and would make an outstanding leader for the Department of Health and Senior Services.
Rory Ellinger, attorney at law
Former board member and executive secretary, Missouri Foundation for Health
Missourians will be well served by Margaret Donnelly as Director of Health and Senior Services, and we are fortunate that she is willing to take on the challenge of renewing a very troubled system. Her human services background is strong, her commitment to service is demonstrated, and her achievements in health and human services are on the record. We need a committed health care advocate, a strong manager and a person with the experience and relationships to work with the General Assembly. Who could be better, and why should there be any question?
Margaret Donnelly’s record of public service is commendable by any measure. With a background of family law, social work and dedication to the needy and senior citizens, she built a truly remarkable career in the state legislature. Her knowledge of the state budget process is second to none. What part of this stellar resume does not recommend her for this new post? It is a specious to assume a person with a public health degree will somehow improve upon Margaret’s real-life experience of advocacy on behalf of the citizens of Missouri. Nixon is to be commended for choosing someone of Margaret’s abilities for this important position.
Even the attorneys (Ellinger) and legislators (Mott Oxford) don’t get it.) It’s not about how wonderful she is it is about whether or not she meets the qualifications listed for this position in our state’s constitution. It makes me very nervous that Nixon and the attorneys with whom he has surrounded himself were obviously not aware of those qualifications. What else will they disregard in our laws? We saw what happened with Blago’s disregard for the law and who can forget the wonderful email scandal and teh sunshine law? Can someone please explain to me how she meets teh listed qualifications? I like her but that is not the issue.
Since change has been the theme lately I suggest the Nixon administration ask the voters to change the constitution rather than his apparent disregard for it. Let’s start this off right Jay otherwise you will become the same easy target as Blunt.
Missouri needs Margaret Donnelly as it new department chief of Health and Senior Services. Having lived in a medical family all of her life, Margaret understands the field. Though petite in stature, Margaret packs a wallop when sticking up for people in need, including those in desiring health care to seniors. A quick study and diligent student, Margaret quickly assesses societal needs and tenaciously attends to them. Missouri will be well served by this dedicated public servant.
From one Brad to another, Brad come on! Your constitutional argument rests on a frankly provincial view of DHSS, as does John Carlton’s. Margaret has lots of experience working to ensure and promote public health at the macro-level. She’s not being hired to be the state’s cheif public health expert but to be the person who directs the state’s biggest public health and senior services government agency. The “science” of public health is part of the DHSS Mission, but it’s not the whole part. Margaret’s respected by conservatives and a champion of progressives - highly needed qualifications if she’s going to fight for DHSS to get what it needs from a Democratic Governor and a Republican legislature.
Comparing appointing Margaret, with years of experience working to improve the health of Missouri’s communities to Blago’s pay to play politics or Blunt’s secret government is just silly.
Under your standards then Earl Warren, William O. Douglas, Louis D. Brandeis, Felix Frankfurter, and Hugo Black should never have been appointed to the Supreme Court since they had no prior judicial experience. Yet many think they were among our greatest justices. Margaret Donnelley is familiar with the issues affecting her Department and the Missouri politics that have blocked progressive policies there for too long. She will be a fine administrator and she can hire all the additional public health expertise she needs. Your editorial is unpersuasive.