John,

For the last eight years, it has been my honor to serve the people of Montgomery County as your County Commissioner. Now, I am pleased to share that I have the honor of being appointed by Governor Josh Shapiro as his nominee for Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.

I look forward to serving alongside Governor Josh Shapiro and supporting his vision to create a government reflective of the Commonwealth. I thank Governor Shapiro for his support and trust in me to continue my track record of delivering equitable, efficient, and data-driven programs and services to the people of Pennsylvania.

I also look forward to working with fellow cabinet members, our legislature, and all of you to continue to ensure the health and well-being of all Pennsylvanians continue to be a top priority.

As a physician for over twenty years, I have seen firsthand the challenges my patients were facing. Caring for pregnant moms managing diabetes without access to a grocery store in their neighborhood. Parents worried about the air their kids breathe and the water they drink. People denied insurance for a pre-existing condition.

As a doctor, I could only do so much to help my patients. That’s why I took my fight for my patients outside the exam room and became a physician advocate for the Affordable Care Act. It is why I became the Chair of the Commonwealth’s third-largest county, and it’s why I am so pleased to join Governor Shapiro’s team to continue that work in this role.

As Secretary, I will continue the Department’s critical work to help Pennsylvanians lead safe, healthy, and productive lives through trauma-informed services. My experience as both a physician and public health professional continues to inform my work. It was front and center as I shepherded Montgomery County’s efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic through a data and science-driven response, focusing on clear communication and transparency.

Throughout my career, I have worked in partnership with communities, service providers, and other stakeholders to create policies to improve services for children, Veterans, and seniors; tackle the opioid epidemic; address maternal health disparities; and protect reproductive rights. As Secretary of DHS, I will continue to work in service to all Pennsylvanians.

I want to thank my friends, colleagues, and constituents in Montgomery County for the support and partnership you have given me these past many years. I want to thank my husband Jeff and our children Ian, Olivia, and Trevor for their constant love and support. And I want to thank Governor Shapiro for this honor.

I am committed to working with him, his administration, and all of you every day to ensure our Commonwealth is healthy, safe, and strong.

With gratitude,
Val

Paid for by Val Arkoosh for U.S. Senate
Val Arkoosh for U.S. Senate
P.O. Box 627
Norristown, PA 19404
United States
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