03 January 2006

Secretary of Aging retires; Governor appoints long-time consumer advocate as acting secretary

After 30 years of public service, Secretary of Aging Pamela Johnson-Betts announced her retirement in a letter to Governor Kathleen Sebelius late last week.

“I’d like to thank Pamela for her service to the people of Kansas and wish her all the best in retirement. She helped make our state a better place for Kansas families, representing their best interests,” Governor Sebelius said.

Johnson-Betts served as secretary of the Department of Aging since February 2003. Prior to that appointment, she served as executive director of the Kansas African-American Affairs Commission and also worked with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Department of Social Rehabilitation Services throughout her 30-year career in public service.

In 2002, Johnson-Betts was recognized by the Project Equality Inc. of Kansas/Missouri as recipient of the “Pride in Excellence Individual Award” for her impact on diversity in the workplace, commitment to diversity and inclusiveness, social concerns and outreach. She also received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” by The Living the Dream, Inc. in 2002.

With Johnson-Betts’ retirement, Sebelius has announced her appointment of Kathy Greenlee as acting secretary of the Department of Aging.

Greenlee has extensive experience with seniors and Kansas insurance consumers. She worked as assistant secretary of the Department of Aging prior to being named long-term care ombudsman in August 2004. Before working in the Governor’s office as chief of operations and chief of staff in 2002, Greenlee had important roles at the Kansas Insurance Department, running the Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansans program in the Consumer Assistance Division, and later serving as general counsel. Greenlee was instrumental in then-Commissioner Sebelius’ decision to halt the merger between Anthem of Indiana and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas.

Sebelius said, “Kathy’s years of work on behalf of consumers and experience with senior issues will be essential as she steps into this role. Given Kathy’s background as long-term care ombudsman, her experience running SHICK, and her service as consumer division director at the Kansas Insurance Department, she is the right person at the right time to lead the Department of Aging.”

Governor Sebelius named Deputy Ombudsman Deborah Merrill as acting state long-term care ombudsman to ensure continuity of service to residents of long-term care facilities across the state.

These changes are effective today.