A new Cabinet secretary has been appointed to lead the New Mexico Department of Health after the death of Sec. Retta Ward in March.
Gov. Susana Martinez on Thursday tapped Truth or Consequences native Lynn Gallagher to lead the public health agency.
The Health Department has made recent strides in reducing rates of teen pregnancy and childhood obesity while expanding childhood vaccinations.
Gallagher's resume includes recent stints as deputy health secretary and general counsel for the Long-Term Services Department, after an early career in business and finance in New York and Florida.
Ward died on March 3 at age 62 from an apparent heart problem while driving in Santa Fe.
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