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HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today named Elizabeth
M. James Duke, Ph.D., to serve as administrator of the Health
Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
She has been acting administrator since March 2001.
“HRSA is a diverse agency with important programs
that range from directly providing health care for those who
need it, to supporting our nation’s health care structure,”
Secretary Thompson said.
“In the past year, Betty Duke has taken the reins
of this agency in a decisive and positive manner.
She will provide the leadership, compassion and integrity
that must be the hallmarks of this agency.”
HRSA includes a
wide range of programs, working especially with states, local
governments and other grantees to fund health services.
Its fiscal year 2002 budget is $6.5 billion, second largest
among the eight agencies of the U.S. Public Health Service.
HRSA has more than 2,000 employees.
HRSA includes the $1.4 billion Community and Migrant
Health Centers program, which supports a nationwide network
of more than 3,300 health center sites serving some 11 million
low income people, especially those without health insurance.
Expansion of the community health centers is a centerpiece
of the Bush administration’s plans for expanding access
to care. HRSA is
providing $165 million in new funds this year for 260 new and
expanded centers, which will serve an additional 1.25 million
persons; and the President’s budget for fiscal year 2003
proposes another $114 million next year, to serve another 1
million patients. The
President’s five-year plan is to fund a total of 1,200
new and expanded health centers, and eventually to double the
number of patients served by the centers.
HRSA also administers the National Health Service Corps
(NHSC), which provides scholarships and student loan assistance
in exchange for service by physicians and other health care
professionals in underserved rural and inner-city areas, including
community health centers.
For fiscal year 2003, President Bush proposed a 30 percent
increase in NHSC funding.
HRSA also administers programs to meet the health care
needs of mothers and infants.
It provides funding for people with HIV/AIDS through
the $1.9 billion Ryan White program.
It also has responsibility for rural health and organ
transplantation activities in HHS.
Ms. Duke is a long-time HHS career executive.
Before coming to HRSA, she served from 1997 to 2001 as
deputy assistant secretary for administration in HHS’ Administration
for Children and Families.
From 1986 to 1997, she was principal deputy assistant
secretary for management and budget at HHS, where she oversaw
major organizational changes within the department.
Before joining HHS, Ms. Duke spent eight years at the
U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
She was deputy assistant director and director of policy
and systems in OPM’s Office of Training and Development
from 1984 to 1986 and was director of the Government Affairs
Institute in OPM’s Office of Executive and Management Development
from 1978 to 1984.
Ms. Duke earned a bachelor’s degree in political
science from Douglas College of Rutgers University, a master’s
degree in political science and African studies from Northwestern
University, and a doctorate in political science from George
Washington University.
Ms. Duke is married to Richard M. Duke and is the widow
of Carroll S. James. She
has two daughters and three granddaughters.
She lives in Chevy Chase, Md.
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