Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services CEO Dannette Smith is stepping down next month to join a national firm that supports health and human services agencies across the nation.
Smith has served as head of Nebraska’s largest state agency since January 2019. Her last day on the job will be August 4th. DHHS has 5,000 employees and an annual budget of $6.3 billion dollars.
Governor Jim Pillen says he’s grateful to Smith for her public service and dedication to improving the lives of Nebraskans. He will name an interim CEO to serve while a nationwide search is conducted to find a permanent successor.
Smith says it’s been her honor to serve as CEO alongside the people of Nebraska the past four years and that she “spent every day challenging myself and my team to work with passion, integrity, and intentionality” because residents depend on them.
Smith adds that “Not only do I feel a great sense of accomplishment about what we have achieved, I look forward to taking the energy and the spirit of my fellow Nebraskans with me as I take on the new challenges in my next chapter.”
Two of the agency’s accomplishments she’s proudest of are supporting state efforts to address COVID and the redesign of the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center system and facilities..