Obama selects another New Mexican to serve in D.C.

New Mexico Human Services Department Secretary Pamela Hyde is moving on, and moving up.

On Friday, President Barack Obama announced her appointment to become Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department.

Governor Bill Richardson, who withdrew his own nomination to become U.S. Secretary of Commerce in the Obama administration, is congratulating Hyde.

“Hyde has been with my administration since day one and has been a tremendous asset for the people of New Mexico, providing greater access to quality resources they need to be successful in life,” Governor Richardson said. “She not only improved the services available through the Human Services Department but took on the task of improving and streamlining the way behavioral health services are administered in our state, something no other state has tried, much less accomplished.”

Hyde will continue serving as Secretary of the Human Services Department until she is confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

Hyde has 30 years experience in management and consulting for public sector systems of health care and human services and 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.

Earlier this year, Hyde was honored with the American Medical Association’s top government service award for a career in public service, the Dr. Nathan Davis award, which she was nominated for by Governor Richardson.

Meanwhile, Governor Richardson has named Katie Falls to serve as Secretary-designate through the transition.

A release from the governor's office stated that Falls was named Deputy Secretary of the Human Services Department in January, 2006.

She has been with the department since 2003 where she served as director of the Income Support Division before being named Deputy Secretary. Ms. Falls also worked for the Department of Health from 1995 to 2001 where she served as the Deputy Director of the Division of Health Improvement. She also worked for Navajo Indian Health Services and Albuquerque Indian Health Services from 1990 to 1995.