PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) – R.I. Well being and Human Companies Secretary Womazetta Jones is resigning, changing into the newest Raimondo-era cupboard member to exit the McKee administration.
Jones, who mentioned she’s leaving for household causes, was employed in 2019 by then-Gov. Gina Raimondo to steer the R.I. Government Workplace of Well being and Human Companies, which oversees six state departments and upwards of $3 billion basically income and federal funding. Her final day might be Might 1.
“It was an honor to steer EOHHS, and the well being and human companies companies below our umbrella, utilizing our three guiding rules – alternative, race fairness and group engagement,” Jones mentioned in a press release, additionally thanking Gov. Dan McKee for his management and help of her work.
Jones added that whereas she “would have cherished to proceed serving” within the secretary’s job, “I’ve household wants that require me to return residence to Chicago.”
McKee’s workplace mentioned an interim secretary might be named between now and Might 1, and that Jones will work intently with him to make sure a profitable transition.
Jones is leaving after greater than two years in state authorities the place she targeted closely on advocating for the development of racial and well being fairness, whereas additionally coping with state operations together with the large Medicaid program that helps fund every thing from nursing properties to caring for youngsters below state custody.
“Whereas there was optimistic transformation in our state’s well being care, behavioral healthcare, and social service programs that underpin the well being and well-being of each resident in Rhode Island, extra work is required,” Jones mentioned.
After McKee ascended to the state’s high job a 12 months in the past, Jones grew to become the governor’s level particular person for Eleanor Slater Hospital, a state-run hospital that’s been dogged by controversy in recent times.
“All through the primary 12 months of my administration, Secretary Jones stepped up each time we wanted her, notably as we took daring motion to start addressing longstanding points at Eleanor Slater Hospital,” McKee mentioned in a press release praising Jones.
Jones’ efforts on Slater earned her belief from McKee, but additionally scrutiny from rank-and-file hospital staff, who’ve criticized state management for failing to repair most of the ongoing issues on the hospital.
Final summer season, Jones overhauled hospital management and extra lately launched an effort to relicense the power to determine a standalone psychiatric hospital with the hope it might shore up Eleanor Slater’s monetary woes. The proposal is at the moment below regulatory and legislative consideration.
Jones additionally clashed at occasions with state lawmakers, together with Senate Oversight Committee Chairman Sen. Louis DiPalma, who slammed the secretary for withholding a authorized evaluation into the monetary issues on the hospital.
Extra lately, Jones criticized Home Speaker Joe Shekarchi and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio for fist-bumping in entrance her at a public occasion during which she was invited to attend however not communicate.
“I feel that they want to consider: Was it disrespectful? Am I owed an apology? And, that’s for the fist bump [and for] not being allowed to talk,” she told the website ConvergenceRI last month.
Jones’ departure marks the newest in a string of exits amongst high-ranking McKee directors over the previous 12 months, opening one other emptiness throughout the governor’s cupboard.
The vacancies are concentrated inside well being and human companies, together with the Well being Division, Human Companies, Kids, Youth and Households and Wholesome Growing older. The emptiness in DCYF, the place Kevin Aucoin serves as interim director, has gone unfilled since Trista Piccola left in 2019 – practically a 12 months earlier than McKee took workplace.
Individually on Monday, McKee hinted that R.I. Police Col. James Manni could be stepping aside soon, though he didn’t supply specifics. Manni has declined to remark.
Eli Sherman (esherman@wpri.com) is a Goal 12 investigative reporter for 12 Information. Join with him on Twitter and on Facebook.
