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