JEFFERSON CITY — Gov. Mike Parson on Tuesday named a new health director a month after his previous appointee quit after facing stiff opposition from a faction of GOP hard-liners in the Missouri Senate.
Parson, a Republican, promoted Paula Nickelson, a 22-year veteran of the Department of Health and Senior Services, to serve as acting health director.
Because she is an “acting†director, Nickelson may serve without Senate confirmation, potentially avoiding a confirmation battle in the Senate during Parson’s last three years as governor.
“She could technically be the acting director for my next three years,†Parson said.
He said “not really†when asked if he named Nickelson “acting director†to avoid the confirmation process.
“We just want to get stability in the department,†Parson said, adding Nickelson could still be confirmed at some point in the future.
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Nickelson, who had served as deputy director of the DHSS, affirmed the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines as she introduced herself during a media briefing on Tuesday.
“With regard to COVID, masks, vaccine, social distancing and therapeutics all play a role, all are useful and should be available to each of us as we make personal choices about how best to safeguard our own health and the health of our family members,†Nickelson said.
Nickelson’s stance appears to mirror the views of Parson’s previous pick, Donald Kauerauf, who advocated for COVID-19 vaccinations but said he opposed mandates.
Hard-line Republicans such as Sen. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, railed against Kauerauf’s nomination. Anti-vaccine activists had converged at the Capitol amid unfounded concerns Kauerauf wanted to force all Missourians to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Parson in February slammed the hard-liners who blocked Kauerauf’s nomination.
“The events that have transpired over the past few days surrounding Don’s Senate confirmation hearing are nothing short of disgraceful, unquestionably wrong and an embarrassment to this state and the people we serve,†Parson said.
Nickelson, when asked why she wanted the job, given what Kauerauf experienced, said, “I was interested in assuring that our public health system did not falter. And we wanted to move forward quickly.â€
Nickelson, who said her hometown was Fulton, said she was “born, raised and educated in Missouri,†adding “it’s not just a professional privilege for me to be asked to serve in this role. It’s personal to me.â€
Parson’s office, in a news release, said Nickelson had “been a leader†on several issues, including maternal health, emergency preparedness and chronic disease prevention.
She helped coordinate state-funded monoclonal antibody treatment centers for COVID-19 patients, the release said.
The release said Nickelson holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Central Missouri and a master’s of education in counseling psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
“The greatest honor for me is serving Missouri and my fellow Missouri citizens in this role,†Nickelson said.
Originally posted at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 1.Â