Marty Kennedy, a former deputy secretary of the Kansas Department on Aging, was named acting secretary today by Gov. Mark Parkinson.
Kennedy, 51, had been interim secretary at the agency since the departure of Kathy Greenlee, who left in late June for the top aging job at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy is now acting secretary pending confirmation by the Kansas Senate.
Kennedy has more than 20 years experience in Kansas government and has been at the aging department since 2004.
The agency has 300 employees and administers senior nutrition programs and distribution of Medicaid payments for long-term care services. It also inspects and licenses nursing homes.
Ombudsman
Parkinson also named Belinda Vierthaler as the state’s acting long-term care ombudsman. She replaces Gilbert Cruz who stepped down in June for a job in the private sector. The ombudsman advocates for nursing home residents. Vierthaler’s background is as a social worker and nursing home administrator.
Reappointment
Also reappointed by Parkinson for a second term to the Kansas Health Policy Authority was Dr. Vernon Mills, a Leavenworth pediatrician.
KU Hospital
The governor named Leawood accountant Scott Slabotsky to the board of the University of Kansas Hospital Authority and reappointed Thomas Murphy of Kansas City, Mo. and Betty Keim of Prairie Village.