STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1212

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 542

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 542, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Deputy Director of the Department of Health

 

G.M. No. 542

CATHY Y. ROSS,

for a term to expire at noon on 12‑05‑2022,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Cathy Y. Ross for service as the Deputy Director of Health.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Cathy Y. Ross from Governor David Y. Ige, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, Department of Human Resources Development, Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Taxation, Department of Accounting and General Services, Department of Transportation, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Department of Human Services, Department of Defense, Department of Public Safety, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, State Procurement Office, Office of Enterprise Technology Services, Office of Environmental Quality Control, Environmental Health Administration of the Department of Health, Health Resources Administration of the Department of Health, Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, Training and Staff Development Academy of the Department of Public Safety, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Hawaii Primary Care Association, and forty-two individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the appointment of Cathy Y. Ross from the Ho‘omanapono Political Action Committee and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that Ms. Ross has spent over eighteen years serving the people of Hawaii in various government roles affecting public health and public safety.  Ms. Ross has been with the Department of Public Safety since 2012, most recently serving as the Deputy Director for Administration of the Department of Public Safety, where she provided optimal administrative support, spearheaded strategic planning, and managed initiatives for that Department.  Your Committee further finds that Ms. Ross's nomination as the Deputy Director of Health marks her return to the Department of Health, where she spent twelve years in various positions related to tobacco prevention, school health and wellness, and nutrition and physical activity promotion.  Ms. Ross also served as the Department of Health's first Performance Improvement Manager, an experience that gave her a deep understanding of the impact primary prevention can have on large populations, small communities, and individuals, and which taught her the importance of addressing health issues within the context of systems.

 

     Your Committee notes that Ms. Ross's professional experience and personal statement indicate a strong focus on systems improvement and strengthening administrative operations.  As the population served by the Department of Health continues to expand, and with the growth of federally-funded programs and changing social service needs, program resources are being increasingly diverted to administrative functions, such as procurement, human resources, and reorganizations.  This diversion multiplies staff workload and necessitates a creative approach to repurposing existing resources to the greatest extent possible.  Ms. Ross's experience in systems management and proven track record with interdepartmental collaborations and innovative administrative approaches will therefore be an excellent resource for the Department of Health as it manages resources, increases efficiency, and improves responsiveness.

 

     Your Committee believes that Ms. Ross's experience in two large and complex departments will be an asset to the Department of Health, as her perspective will allow her to build on the organizational strengths of the Department, while also recognizing and working to address the Department's weaknesses.  As noted in her personal statement, Ms. Ross brings to the Department of Health a strong commitment to improving public health outcomes through strengthening administrative operations, growing interdepartmental collaborations, and exploring new ways to engage with service providers.  This commitment is especially important to the Department of Health, as administrative operations and functions are vital to the Department's ability to maximize service delivery and efficiency.

 

     Your Committee therefore finds that Ms. Ross's leadership abilities, professional experience, and commitment to public health will assist the Department of Health in its ongoing mission to protect and improve the health and environment for Hawaii's residents and, for these reasons, recommends that Ms. Ross be appointed as the Deputy Director of Health.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair