Date: Wednesday, April 1, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: HHS Press Office (202) 690-6343
HHS SECRETARY APPOINTS NEW CHIEF OF STAFF
HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala has announced the appointment of Mary Beth Donahue, 32, to be chief of staff, serving as a principal advisor to the Secretary on all major policy and management issues and initiatives. In addition to coordinating HHS activities and issues, Donahue serves as the central point of liaison between the Department and the White House. HHS is the United States government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who are least able to help themselves. The department administers more than 300 programs, covering a wide spectrum of activities which include biomedical research, food and drug safety, Medicare, Medicaid, public health, Head Start, and many other critical federal responsibilities. For fiscal year 1998, the department's budget is more than $359 billion. "I am pleased to appoint someone to the post of chief of staff who is so knowledgeable about HHS' operations, as well as the responsibilities and challenges of the post. I believe that Mary Beth will be a very capable chief of staff," Secretary Shalala said. Donahue had served HHS as deputy chief of staff since June 1995, overseeing operations and administrative functions of the chief of staff's office, including providing leadership and direction within HHS on issues that impacted the White House. She also oversaw several units within the Immediate Office of the Secretary. Donahue joined HHS in April 1993 working for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation. Donahue served on the 1992 Clinton-Gore Presidential Campaign and Transition as director of scheduling for Tipper Gore. She has also worked for the Massachusetts Hospital Association and the Boston Private Industry Council. Donahue began her career working as an executive assistant to Governor Michael Dukakis from 1987 to 1989. A graduate of the Senior Managers in Government Program of Harvard University in 1997, Donahue also received a M.P.P. from Georgetown University in 1992 and a B.A. from Boston College in 1987. A native of Holden, Mass., Donahue resides in Washington, D.C. ###
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