Michigan's top health official steps aside just months before governor's term ends
Elizabeth Hertel, director of Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), has announced her resignation, effective June 30—leaving months before Governor Gretchen Whitmer completes her term in January 2027. While the agency hasn’t disclosed Hertel’s next move, speculation is already swirling. Amy Epkey, a long-serving state administrator, will serve as acting director in the interim.
Governor Whitmer released a glowing statement praising Hertel’s tenure, particularly her leadership in expanding healthcare access and mental health services amid crises. However, no rationale was provided for her departure. When pressed for details, a department spokesperson offered a simple explanation: Hertel intends to take a summer hiatus before deciding her future path.
A Leader Who Stepped Up When Crisis Struck
Hertel took the helm in March 2021, just as the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the state. Under her watch, Michigan rolled out groundbreaking programs, including initiatives to combat mental health struggles and addiction, both of which surged during the pandemic.
Before MDHHS, Hertel served as deputy director under Robert Gordon, whose tenure also ended amid controversy—specifically, a controversial severance payout upon his resignation.
A Department at a Crossroads
Hertel’s exit comes as the department faces two critical challenges:
- Shifting Federal Funding – Key programs are grappling with cutbacks, raising concerns about service disruptions.
- New State Rules for Medicaid & Food Assistance – Eligibility requirements are tightening, with stricter work mandates being enforced.
The next permanent director, to be chosen by Whitmer’s successor, will inherit Hertel’s policy blueprint—one that balanced crisis response with long-term systemic change.
As Michigan’s healthcare landscape evolves, Hertel’s departure marks the end of an era—one defined by resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges.
