News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 23, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Health Secretary Bruce Miyahara resigns

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today accepted the resignation of Department of Health Secretary Bruce Miyahara effective June 1. Miyahara has held the position for five years.

"I have known Bruce for many years and have tremendous admiration for him and his accomplishments," said Gov. Locke. "His leadership and commitment to public health have earned him respect throughout the state. His major achievements include this year's farm worker housing legislation, high immunization rates of children and the department's response to the tragic e-coli outbreak in 1993."

Gov. Locke plans a national search to replace Miyahara. He hopes to have a new secretary of health hired by the time Miyahara leaves.

The Department of Health is charged with protecting the health of Washington's citizens through disease- and injury-prevention programs, compilation of death and disease rates, monitoring for environmental hazards and responding to outbreaks of communicable diseases such as e-coli. The department also regulates health professionals and facilities. It has approximately 1200 employees.

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