Governor Henry McMaster has announced his nomination for the next chair of the South Carolina Board of Health and Environmental Control.
Seema Shrivastava-Patel was named as McMaster’s nomination on Wednesday. She has served on the Board since 2018 and has also served as Vice Chair since 2021.
"Shrivastava-Patel is a highly respected member of the South Carolina Board of Health and Environmental Control and with six years of experience she is an expert on the workings of DHEC," Governor Henry McMaster said. "With this extensive knowledge of the agency and her experience as Vice Chair, she is the best choice to lead a smooth transition that will propel the agency forward and advance South Carolina's public health and environmental missions."
While on the board these past five years, Shrivastava-Patel served through the COVID pandemic, was the lead in the search for DHEC’s new director, pushed a focus on staff recruitment and retention and emphasized measurable outcomes for the agency.
"I am grateful to Governor McMaster for entrusting me with the opportunity to serve as the next Chair and look forward to working with my colleagues, as well as DHEC's team of talented and dedicated employees, to continue to move the agency forward for the people of South Carolina," Shirvastava-Patel said following the announcement.
Shrivastava-Patel is a University of South Carolina graduate and a first generation American of Indian heritage. She would become both the first person of color and the second woman to lead the Board if confirmed by the state senate.