State names chief medical executive

LANSING — The former director of Detroit's health department is Michigan's new chief medical executive.

The appointment of Dr. Joneigh Khaldun was announced last month by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and state Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon.

Khaldun, a practicing emergency physician at Henry Ford Hospital, started the job last week.

She will be a member of Whitmer's Cabinet and — as chief deputy health director — oversee population health, medical services and other areas within the Department of Health and Human Services.

Whitmer said Khaldun "will bring strong expertise, diverse experience and deep passion to state government."

Khaldun has led several coordinated public health responses, including Detroit's handling of the largest Hepatitis A outbreak in Michigan history.