Governor Katie Hobbs has nominated Debbie Johnston for the position of director of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). Johnston previously served as vice president of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association. According to ABC15, the official announcement on Monday highlighted her experience and leadership as reasons for her nomination to lead ADHS.
Johnston’s nomination follows two previous candidates, Theresa Cullen and Jennie Cunico, who were not approved by the Senate Director Nominations Committee. She has experience in policy and regulatory work at the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association and has worked with rural hospitals and health care provider licensing. Governor Hobbs highlighted Johnston’s experience, leadership, and work with Arizona health care providers, including rural hospitals, as key qualifications for the ADHS director role, as per State Affair.
If confirmed, Johnston will take on a role with significant challenges, shaped by lessons from the pandemic and the complexities of health policy. Her work at the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association focused on regulatory affairs, which is relevant to the ADHS director position.
