Columbia, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster today announced Christian L. Soura’s resignation as Director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, effective April 7, 2017.
 
“Christian has been a tremendous asset to the Department of Health and Human Services and to South Carolina as a whole,” said Gov. McMaster. “His strong leadership and commitment to the agency’s mission has improved the lives of South Carolinians, and we look forward to working with stakeholders from around the State to find someone who will continue that legacy to lead what is one of our most complex and important agencies.” 
 
“I am proud to have been part of a team that has worked hard every day to help our friends and neighbors who have needed it the most,” said Soura. “Through the continued success of the Birth Outcomes Initiative and now our groundbreaking Pay-for-Success waiver with the Nurse-Family Partnership, we’ve put South Carolina at the forefront of a national effort to use evidence-based policy to improve outcomes for vulnerable moms and babies.”
 
Governor McMaster also announced the appointment of state healthcare leaders to a search committee tasked with advising and assisting him throughout the selection process. That group includes: 
 
• Senator Thomas Alexander, Chairman of the Health and Human Services Subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee
• Representative Murrell Smith, Chairman of the Healthcare Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee
• Thornton Kirby, President and CEO of the South Carolina Hospital Association
• Jim Ritchie, Executive Director of SC Alliance of Health Plans
• Tricia Richardson, Executive Director of SC Thrive
 
Soura, who has been in this position since 2014, is leaving to return to the private sector.  Deirdra Singleton, currently the Deputy Director of Health Programs at the agency, will serve as Acting Director.