Deborah Shropshire

Deborah Shropshire
Oklahoma Secretary of Human Services
In office
July 11, 2023 – September 13, 2024
Appointed byKevin Stitt
Preceded byJustin Brown

Deborah Shropshire is an American civil servant who served as the Oklahoma Secretary of Human Services in the cabinet of Governor Kevin Stitt from 2023 to 2024. From June 2024 to September 2024, she served under the title "Chief Adviser," but de facto continued to serve as the Oklahoma Secretary of Human Services.

Biography

From 2001 to 2015 Shropshire was the medical director for the Pauline E. Mayer Children’s Shelter and she helped develop the Fostering Hope Clinic.[1] In 2014, she joined the Oklahoma Department of Human Services where she served as child welfare director, deputy director of communications, and medical director.[2] She was appointed as the first woman director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services on January 10, 2023, by Governor Kevin Stitt.[3] On July 11, 2023, she was appointed Oklahoma Secretary of Human Services.[4] In June 2024, she was transitioned from secretary to "chief advisor" after Attorney General Gentner Drummond wrote an attorney general opinion on cabinet secretaries and dual officeholding.[5][6] She resigned effective September 13, 2024.[7] Stitt denied her resignation was related to the Woolley family's custody dispute.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Governor Stitt Appoints Dr. Deborah Shropshire to Serve as Executive Director of Oklahoma Human Services". OU News. January 10, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  2. ^ Pfeifer, Sierra (22 August 2024). "Director of Oklahoma Human Services resigns after less than two years in position". KOSU. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  3. ^ Carter, M. Scott; Gerard, Jordan (August 20, 2024). "Deborah Shropshire out as state Human Services chief; resignation follows meeting with governor". The Oklahoman. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  4. ^ "Governor Stitt Announces Dr. Shropshire as Human Services Secretary, Thanks Secretary Brown for His Service". Governor of Oklahoma. July 11, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  5. ^ Wheeler, Graycen (June 18, 2024). "Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt quietly replaces cabinet with 'chief advisors'". KOSU. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  6. ^ Murphy, Emma (August 20, 2024). "Director of Oklahoma Human Services department to leave agency". Oklahoma Voice. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  7. ^ Weber, Andy (August 21, 2024). "Director of Oklahoma Department of Human Services stepping down". KOCO. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  8. ^ Carter, M. Scott (August 23, 2024). "DHS director's resignation not tied to Woolley state custody case, governor's office says". The Oklahoman. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  1. ^ As Chief Transportation Advisor