The Executive Council has voted unanimously to confirm the CEO of New Hampshire Hospital to lead the state's Health and Human Services Department.
Lori Shibinette succeeds Jeff Meyers, who resigned late last year after almost four years in what many consider the most challenging job in state government.
Governor Chris Sununu says he picked Shibinette to lead HHS because of what he called her unmatched operational experience.
In addition her leading the state's psychiatric facility, Shibinette's also been the state's deputy health commissioner, and worked as CEO of the Merrimack County Nursing Home.
She's also a registered nurse.
As commissioner of HHS, Shibinette will oversee myriad programs and manage a budget that accounts for about half of total state spending.
In a statement, Governor Sununu said he expects Shibinette to "hit the ground running."
