Gov. Sanders names Renee Mallory as Secretary of Health

Gov. Sarah Sanders made a second cabinet appointment this week when she named Renee Mallory as Secretary of Health on Tuesday (Aug. 8). Mallory has been serving as interim secretary since the Hutchinson administration appointed her in May 2022.

On Monday, Sanders named Jim Hudson as Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration after Larry Walther was appointed Treasurer of State following the death of Mark Lowery.

“Renee Mallory has done an excellent job leading the Department of Health as the Interim Secretary – and today, I am proud to announce that she will serve as the permanent Secretary. Her 34 years of service at the Department of Health have prepared her to excel in this role. She is the highly qualified, experienced leader we need at the helm as we work together to improve and protect the health of all Arkansans,” Sanders said.

Mallory began her career at Arkansas Department of Health in 1988 and she has served in various roles, including chief of staff and deputy director.

Prior to her work at the Department of Health, Mallory worked at Twin Rivers Medical Center, now Baptist Medical Center Arkadelphia, and Baptist Home Health and Hospice. She is a native of Pike County and graduated from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She is a licensed registered nurse.

“I am extremely honored to serve Governor Sanders as the Secretary of Health. I greatly appreciate the Governor’s dedication to Arkansans and her support for the Department of Health as we work to achieve our mission: protecting and improving the health and well-being of all Arkansans. I look forward to continuing to be a part of the extraordinary work being done in our state. I am also thankful to be leading an organization with employees who are committed to providing needed services to the people of Arkansas in the best and most efficient way possible,” Mallory said.