Gov. Henry McMaster has nominated Dr. Edward Simmer, former director of the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), to lead the newly formed Department of Public Health in South Carolina. Dr. Simmer has been instrumental in leading the state’s response to various public health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic. With the reorganization of DHEC, the focus of the agency will now solely be on public health, making Dr. Simmer the ideal candidate to lead the new agency according to Governor McMaster.
The appointment of Dr. Simmer comes amidst a series of new agency head appointments in the state. In addition to the Department of Public Health, a new leader for the Department of Environmental Services, another agency formed from the reorganization of DHEC, is set to be announced shortly. The state is also facing challenges in finding replacements for leaders of agencies like the Department of Social Services amid ongoing issues in the foster care system.
Despite these changes, McMaster’s office noted that the turnover rate in agency leadership roles is not unusual and that many directors have been in office since McMaster took over as governor in 2017. As McMaster’s term is set to expire in 2027, a new governor will likely make further appointments. Overall, the focus remains on ensuring stable leadership in key state agencies to address pressing issues and advance public health in South Carolina.
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