Head of DHSS to leave post

The head of Delaware’s Department of Health and Social Services is leaving her post for a job in Washington, D.C., and the department’s deputy secretary will fill the position, Gov. John Carney announced June 16.

Dr. Kara Odom Walker, who has served as secretary since 2017, will leave her position this summer to join the Nemours National Office of Policy and Prevention in Washington, D.C. She will serve in Nemours’ Washington office as senior vice president and chief population health officer, working on healthcare policy on a national level. 

“It was an incredible honor to be chosen by Gov. Carney to lead the team at DHSS and to be entrusted with meeting the needs of the people of Delaware,” Walker said in a press release. “While I know that we advanced many health and social service policies during my tenure, I will always wish that I had more time, because there is more work to address health equity, healthcare costs and access to care up and down our state, but particularly for vulnerable populations.”

Carney nominated Molly Magarik, who erved as deputy secretary of DHSS, to serve as the next secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services.

The state Senate confirmed Magarik’s nomination June 21.

“Molly is a proven leader, a problem solver, and a committed public servant who has been second in command at DHSS for the last three and a half years,” Carney said.

“Throughout her career, and especially as deputy secretary, Molly built important relationships and trust with members of the General Assembly, our healthcare systems, agency staff, and Delawareans throughout the state.

“As we continue to fight COVID-19, I’m confident Molly will be able to lead this department without missing a beat, while continuing our work to make Delaware a stronger and healthier state. I look forward to the Senate considering her nomination.”

Magarik has served as deputy secretary since February 2017, directing and managing key priorities for DHSS, including healthcare financing, payment and delivery system reform; budget administration and management; and early childhood education.

She also served as the department’s chief strategy officer, and developed and maintained critical partnerships with Delaware cabinet agency leaders, the Legislature, the federal delegation, advocates, and healthcare system leadership throughout the state.

Before joining DHSS, Magarik served as state director for then-Congressman John Carney and political director for Beau Biden’s campaign for attorney general.

She also worked as a strategic advisor across nonprofits and government, including as executive director of the Delaware Democratic Party.

She is a candidate for a master’s degree in healthcare delivery science from Dartmouth College, and earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and government from the University of Delaware.

She and her husband, Josh, have two daughters and live in Middletown. 

“I am truly humbled and incredibly honored to be nominated by Gov. Carney as the next secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services,” she said. “I am grateful to the governor for the trust and faith he has in me to lead this agency, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to serve in his cabinet.”