President Barack Obama has appointed N.M. Human Services Secretary Pamela Hyde to be administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department.
Gov. Bill Richardson, who gave up his own chance to join the Obama administration earlier this year, is congratulating Hyde.
“Hyde has been with my administration since day one and has been a tremendous asset for the people of New Mexico, providing greater access to quality resources they need to be successful in life,” Richardson said in a news release. “She not only improved the services available through the Human Services Department, but took on the task of improving and streamlining the way behavioral health services are administered in our state — something no other state has tried, much less accomplished.”
Hyde will continue serving in her state job until she is confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Hyde has worked in the field for 30 years and has held several key public sector management positions, including, in addition to her current job, state mental health director and city housing and human services director.
Earlier this year, Hyde was honored with the American Medical Association’s top government service award for a career in public service — the Dr. Nathan Davis award — for which she was nominated by Richardson.
Richardson has named Katie Falls to serve as secretary-designate through the transition.
Falls was named deputy secretary of the Human Services Department in 2006, the release states. She has been with the department since 2003, and served as director of the income support division before being named deputy secretary.