Harrisburg, Pa. – The Wolf Administration announced that Alison Beam, the acting Health Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Health would resign her position with the commonwealth at the end of 2021. Beam has held this position since January 23, 2021. Governor Wolf also announced his intention to name Department of Health Executive Deputy Secretary Keara Klinepeter to serve as Acting Secretary.
“I am proud to have worked with Acting Secretary Beam over the past several years, and the commonwealth has been fortunate to have had the benefit of her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic – especially as the Department of Health oversaw a massive vaccine roll-out over the course of the past year,” said Gov. Wolf. “Thank you, Acting Secretary Beam, for stepping up to serve the commonwealth during a difficult time. We will miss your leadership, your determination and your dedication to building healthier communities for all Pennsylvanians.”
On her time working within the Wolf Administration, Beam was grateful.
“Thank you to Governor Wolf, his leadership team, and the incredibly dedicated Department of Health employees,” said Acting Secretary Beam. “Serving as Acting Secretary during such a critical time in public health has been the most humbling honor of my career.
Under the governor’s leadership,the administration has made critical strides in ensuring access to health care for all Pennsylvanians and in turn created a healthier, more equitable commonwealth for generations to come. I could not be prouder to have worked alongside such devoted public servants during my tenure with the Wolf Administration.”
Barring any unforeseen occurrence, Keara Klinepeter will become the next acting Secretary following the resignation of Beam. Klinepeter is currently serving as the Executive Deputy Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Health. She previously served as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Health within the Department of Health, where she worked extensively on COVID-19 response, including leading the Technical Planning and Guidance Development team to issue guidance to all healthcare facilities and providers.
“Thank you to Gov. Wolf and Acting Secretary Beam for their steadfast leadership, especially during this trying time for all Pennsylvanians,” said Executive Deputy Secretary Klinepeter. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with the tremendous employees at the Department of Health and ensuring public health remains a top priority throughout the commonwealth. I am honored for the opportunity to lead public health efforts during this critical time and to serve my fellow Pennsylvanians.”