Presidential Nomination of Pamela Hyde as Administrator of SAMHSA

I am pleased to share with you that, today, President Obama announced his intent to nominate Pamela Hyde to be Administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Pamela Hyde has served as Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Human Services Department since 2003. She has worked both in the private and public sector, and has years of experience in health program management and health policy development. She also previously served as New Mexico’s Mental Health Director. As a Cabinet Secretary, Ms. Hyde has worked tirelessly to improve access, quality, and accountability of health and human services programs for the residents of her state. I hope the Senate acts quickly to confirm her nomination.

I also want to extend my thanks to Rear Admiral Eric Broderick for his leadership as Acting Administrator. We are grateful to him for all of his hard work.

— Kathleen Sebelius
HHS Secretary

Pamela Hyde, Nominee to be Administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services

Pamela S. Hyde, J.D., has served as Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) since 2003. A lawyer by training, Ms. Hyde has 30 years of experience in management and consulting for public sector systems of health care and human services. She has held several key public sector management positions, including those of a state mental health director, state human services director, and city housing and human services director. She also previously served as a CEO of a private nonprofit behavioral health care organization that managed care and provided direct services.

Ms. Hyde is a member of, or has served as a consultant to, many national organizations, including the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the American College of Mental Health Administration, and the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. She has received awards from the American Medical Association, the National Governors Association, the Seattle Management Association, and a number of consumer and provider organizations for her leadership and for her commitment to the well-being of those who rely on publicly funded health and human services. Ms. Hyde received a B.A. from Missouri State University and a J.D. from the University of Michigan.