JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Eric Greitens made his pick Thursday for the new chair of the Department of Health and Senior Services: Dr. Randall Williams.
Williams, an obstetrician/gynecologist by trade, last served as the state health director and deputy secretary of health sciences in North Carolina. In a social media post, Greitens praised Williams’ service overseas.
“He has served as a physician in combat zones in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Haiti, for which he was recognized as the Triangle Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year,” Greitens said. “He knows what our doctors, nurses, and providers need to provide the best possible care, because he’s been on the front lines himself.”
The governor also credited Williams for his work on combatting the opioid epidemic and Zika virus in North Carolina.
However, Williams also came under criticism in that state for his role in a contamination crisis. Williams began his work as state health director in July 2015 and nine months later (along with other state officials), rescinded a “do-not-drink” order on well water from wells contaminated with coal ash by Duke Energy in 2014. The state toxicologist Kenneth Rudo said the water was still unsafe for consumption and that state officials, including Williams, had known it was unsafe when they rescinded the order.
Williams later signed an open editorial defending his actions.
The doctor also attempted to run for mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina in 2011.
