Terri White (commissioner)
Encyclopedia
Terri L. White is an American social worker who is serving as the Oklahoma Secretary of Health
. White was appointed by Governor of Oklahoma
Brad Henry
in 2009, becoming Henry's fourth Health Secretary and the first women to hold that position. White serves concurrently as the Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
, a position she has held since May 13, 2007.
in Edmond, Oklahoma
. She received her Bachelors of Arts in social work in 1997 and a masters degree of social work in 1998, both from the University of Oklahoma
. After graudating from OU, White accepted a position with the Oklahoma Senate
where she would remain until 2001. While working for the State Senate, she worked as a policy analyst and then as a fiscal analyst. As a fiscal analyst, White worked for both the Human Services (2000–01) and the General Government and Transportation (1999–2000) appropriations subcommittees, analyzing budget requests and evaluating agency performance for twenty-seven state agencies.
in 2001 and has served that Department in multiple capacities. In her time with the Department, she has served as Deputy Commissioner for Communications and Prevention, Director of Communications and Public Policy, and a Management Analyst. She has also served as the executive director of two ODMHSAS field facilities — the Tulsa Center for Behavioral Health Co-Occurring Unit and the Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center. Concurrently with each of these positions, White served as the chief liaison to the Oklahoma Legislature
for the Department.
In 2007, while White was serving as the Department's Director of Communications and Public Policy, then Commissioner Terry Cline
resigned after being nominated by (then) President of the United States
George W. Bush
to become the administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
, an agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services
. Following Cline's resignation, on May 13, 2007, the State Board of Mental Health appointed White Commissioner of the Department as Cline's successor. As Commissioner, White serves as the chief executive of the Department.
, following the resignation of Mike Crutcher, appointed White to serve has his fourth Secretary of Health
. As Health Secretary, Secretary White is responsible for overseeing the Oklahoma State Department of Health
and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
. White serves concurrently as both Secretary of Health and ODMHSAS Commissioner.
Oklahoma State Cabinet
The Cabinet of the Governor of Oklahoma is a body of the most senior appointed officials of the executive branch of the government of Oklahoma. Originally an informal meeting between the Governor of Oklahoma and various government officials, the Governor's Cabinet has evolved into a major part of...
. White was appointed by Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
Brad Henry
Brad Henry
Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002...
in 2009, becoming Henry's fourth Health Secretary and the first women to hold that position. White serves concurrently as the Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is an agency of the Government of Oklahoma responsible for providing public health services relating to mental illness and substance abuse...
, a position she has held since May 13, 2007.
Education and early career
White is a graduate of Edmond Public SchoolsEdmond Public Schools
Edmond Public Schools is a public school district located in the Oklahoma City suburb of Edmond, Oklahoma. The school district has an enrollment of 20,290 as of October 2008, placing it as the 4th largest school district in Oklahoma, after Tulsa Public Schools, Oklahoma City Public Schools, and...
in Edmond, Oklahoma
Edmond, Oklahoma
Edmond is a city in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area in the central part of the state. As of the 2010 census, the population was 81,405, making it the sixth largest city in the state of Oklahoma....
. She received her Bachelors of Arts in social work in 1997 and a masters degree of social work in 1998, both from the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
. After graudating from OU, White accepted a position with the Oklahoma Senate
Oklahoma Senate
The Oklahoma Senate is the upper house of the two houses of the Legislature of Oklahoma, the other being the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The total number of Senators is set at 48 by the Oklahoma Constitution....
where she would remain until 2001. While working for the State Senate, she worked as a policy analyst and then as a fiscal analyst. As a fiscal analyst, White worked for both the Human Services (2000–01) and the General Government and Transportation (1999–2000) appropriations subcommittees, analyzing budget requests and evaluating agency performance for twenty-seven state agencies.
ODMHSAS
White joined the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse ServicesOklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is an agency of the Government of Oklahoma responsible for providing public health services relating to mental illness and substance abuse...
in 2001 and has served that Department in multiple capacities. In her time with the Department, she has served as Deputy Commissioner for Communications and Prevention, Director of Communications and Public Policy, and a Management Analyst. She has also served as the executive director of two ODMHSAS field facilities — the Tulsa Center for Behavioral Health Co-Occurring Unit and the Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center. Concurrently with each of these positions, White served as the chief liaison to the Oklahoma Legislature
Oklahoma Legislature
The Legislature of the State of Oklahoma is the biennial meeting of the legislative branch of the government of Oklahoma. It is bicameral, comprising the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate, with all members elected directly by the people. The House of Representatives has 101...
for the Department.
In 2007, while White was serving as the Department's Director of Communications and Public Policy, then Commissioner Terry Cline
Terry Cline
Dr. Terry L. Cline, Ph. D., is an American psychologist and public health policy specialist from Oklahoma. Cline is currently serving in the dual position of Oklahoma Secretary of Health and Human Services and Commissioner of the Oklahoma State Department of Health...
resigned after being nominated by (then) President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
to become the administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is charged with improving the quality and availability of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitative services in order to reduce illness, death, disability, and cost to...
, an agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services
United States Department of Health and Human Services
The United States Department of Health and Human Services is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America"...
. Following Cline's resignation, on May 13, 2007, the State Board of Mental Health appointed White Commissioner of the Department as Cline's successor. As Commissioner, White serves as the chief executive of the Department.
Secretary of Health
In January 2009, Governor Brad HenryBrad Henry
Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002...
, following the resignation of Mike Crutcher, appointed White to serve has his fourth Secretary of Health
Oklahoma State Cabinet
The Cabinet of the Governor of Oklahoma is a body of the most senior appointed officials of the executive branch of the government of Oklahoma. Originally an informal meeting between the Governor of Oklahoma and various government officials, the Governor's Cabinet has evolved into a major part of...
. As Health Secretary, Secretary White is responsible for overseeing the Oklahoma State Department of Health
Oklahoma State Department of Health
The Oklahoma State Department of Health is a department of the government of Oklahoma under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Health. The Department is responsible for protecting the health of all Oklahomans and providing other essential human services...
and the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is an agency of the Government of Oklahoma responsible for providing public health services relating to mental illness and substance abuse...
. White serves concurrently as both Secretary of Health and ODMHSAS Commissioner.