The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is set to lose a familiar face as Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen leaves the state agency at the end of the year.

At his press conference on Tuesday, Governor Roy Cooper formally announced Cohen’s departure.

“North Carolina has benefited greatly from your leadership over the past five years,” Cooper said, “and that’s been especially true over the course of this pandemic during which your work has saved countless lives. I deeply appreciate your service and your steady hand in times of crisis. You and I, along with our remarkable team, have been in the trenches together and we’re going to miss you.”

Cohen, an internal medicine physician, was appointed in January of 2017 and has since led the state’s response to COVID-19 and served as Cooper’s chief advisor and strategist on beating the pandemic. Under her leadership, North Carolina has been recognized as best in the nation for providing equitable access to both COVID-19 testing and vaccination.

Cohen said it has been “the honor of a lifetime” to serve the state at such an important moment in history.

“It’s been a wonderful five years,” she said. “I am so honored that I had this opportunity to lead the state at this moment. I think we’ve accomplished so much. I know folks see the COVID response, but I’m really proud of the work we did the three years even leading up to COVID. Whether it was transitioning our Medicaid program or responding to the opioid crisis, all of that I think contributed to our success. And while it’s hard to step away, it’s the right time for me personally, and the right time for our team.”

During her tenure, Cohen said she has built a “remarkable team of talented people.” This team includes Kody Kinsley, who will be filling Cohen’s shoes effective January 1.

“The department of health and human services is in a strong position to continue to carry out its mission,” said Cohen. “In choosing Chief Deputy Secretary Kody Kinsley as the department’s next secretary, the governor has chosen an incredible leader to take the baton to run the next leg of this race.”

Kinsley currently serves as the Chief Deputy Secretary for Health at the NCDHHS as well as the Operations Lead for North Carolina’s pandemic response. He has served the state agency for nearly four years.

Prior to his work at the NCDHHS, Kinsley has held roles at the White House and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under both the Obama ad Trump administration. He will also soon make state history as the first openly gay cabinet secretary in North Carolina.

Now, as she wraps up her final month on the job, Cohen said she’s looking forward to spending more time with her family while exploring new opportunities to improve the health and well-being of communities.

“Dr. Cohen, North Carolinians owe you a deep debt of gratitude. You have been such a blessing to our state,” Cooper said. “Thank you, my friend, but you have another month to go. And I know as usual you’re going to be at it as determined as ever until the last day.”

Cohen was named the 2020 Tar Heel of the Year by the Raleigh News and Observer and was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2021.

 

Lead photo via the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.

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