Doctor Joneigh Khaldun, who led Michigan’s COVID-19 pandemic response, is leaving state government on October 1.
The doctor was a frequent presence alongside Governor Gretchen Whitmer, taking questions and giving detailed answers om the state’s pandemic response.
Doctor Natasha Bagdasarian will serve as interim chief medical executive while a search is underway for a permanent replacement. She is currently a senior public health physician with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Whitmer press Secretary Bobby Leddy said that they hope Bagdasarian will consider becoming that replacement.
“We hope that Doctor Bagdasarian will consider putting her hat in the ring," Leddy said. "She led our state’s testing strategy and with her wealth of knowledge, she is the best fit to continue to lead during this pandemic.”
Chief medical executive is a cabinet-level position, but it does not require state Senate confirmation.