After falling ill last week, the Department of Health Services Secretary Kitty Rhoades passed away on Saturday. Secretary Rhodes was appointed to the position in 2013 by Governor Walker. The Governor released the following statement:
“Kitty had the chance to do what she loved – serving and leading the people of Wisconsin on health care issues. Her passion for public policy through her time serving as a business and community leader in Hudson, as a Wisconsin State Representative for 12 years, and then as Secretary of the Department of Health Services, was evident to all those who worked with her. It was an honor to serve with her.
Kitty’s dedication and service to the state have changed Wisconsin for the better; and she leaves behind a long list of accomplishments as her legacy. She also leaves behind many friends in my administration who admired her tenacity, spirit, and leadership. We will miss all that she offered to us on behalf of Wisconsin citizens. As kitty would say, we are all in this together.”
Secretary Rhoades served in the state Assembly from 1999 until 2010. Between 2007 and 2008, she served as co-chairwoman of the Joint Finance Committee. Secretary Rhoades joined the Department of Health Services in 2011 as Deputy Secretary.