LINCOLN — The director who handles public health matters for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Charity Menefee, has resigned.

Gov. Jim Pillen announced the departure, effective May 9, in a statement Tuesday that said Menefee made the decision to devote more time to her family.

Menefee has served in the position since 2021. She oversees preventative and community health programs including epidemiology, vital statistics, regulation and the licensure of health-related professions and healthcare facilities and services.

“Leading and serving alongside the dedicated people at the Division of Public Health has been the greatest honor of my career,” Menefee said in a statement.

The Governor’s Office offered no information on interim leadership, saying details would come later.

Pillen said he appreciated Menefee’s public service, including in the military. Menefee recently retired as a lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee Air National Guard after 25 years. Prior to joining Nebraska’s DHHS, she served at the Knox County Health Department in Knoxville, Tennessee.

“Charity leaves public service with an impeccable record of dedication to the health and well-being of Nebraskans,” Pillen said. “Under her leadership, the division reduced processing times from 100 days to 25 for certain licenses and improved disease tracking capabilities throughout the state.”

Steve Corsi, CEO of DHHS, called Menefee a “shining example of a person who puts others first,” citing late-night meetings coordinating with stakeholders and weekends spent on operations tracking and containing infectious diseases.

This story was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original article: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/gov-jim-pillen-announces-resignation...