Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Tuesday named Paula Nickelson acting director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services after Republican senators ousted her predecessor over support for COVID-19 vaccination.
Nickelson, a 22-year veteran of the agency, promised to keep the agency on track after Director Don Kauerauf's abrupt departure last month.
"I was interested in assuring our public health system did not falter and we wanted to move forward quickly," Nickelson said at a news conference in Jefferson City.