Records of the Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources, 2005-2010

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888

Background

Scope and content:

Contains records created and maintained by Secretary of Health and Human Resources, Marilyn B. Tavenner, during the administration of Governor Timothy M. Kaine. The records include incoming and outgoing correspondence with assigned agencies and constituents, subject files, decision memoranda, legislative files, budget material, and records related to activities and special projects.

Biographical / historical:

In 1970, the Governor's Management Commission Study recommended the creation of six "Deputy Governors" to assist the Chief Executive in his managerial duties. Compatible functions of government were grouped under these administrative heads, who would serve as the Governor's top management team or "secretariats" as they are called now. Currently there are 8 secretariats in state government, which are: the Secretary of Administration; Secretary of Commerce and Trade; Secretary of Education; Secretary of Finance; Secretary of Health and Human Resources; Secretary of Natural Resources; Secretary of Public Safety; Secretary of Transportation.

The secretariat responsible for human services, health and welfare has gone through several reorganizations. In 1972, the General Assembly passed an act establishing the Secretary of Human Affairs. This office was responsible for management and direction of health and human services provided by the state for the citizens of the commonwealth. In 1976, the secretariat's name changed to the Secretary of Human Resources. With reorganization of state government, the secretariat name changed again to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources in 1988. The Secretary of Health and Human Resources oversees state agencies which provide services to Virginians with mental retardation, mental illness, substance abuse and physical disability concerns, and provide assistance to low-income families and to the aging community. Additionally, the agencies also license health practitioners and ensure safe drinking water in the Commonwealth.

During the administration of Governor Timothy Kaine, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources oversaw the following state agencies and boards: Dept. for the Aging; Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, (previously Dept. of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services); Dept. for the Blind and Vision Impaired; Dept. for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing; Dept. of Health, Dept. of Health Professions; Dept. of Medical Assistance Services; Dept. of Rehabilitation Services; Dept. of Social Services; Board for People with Disabilities; Tobacco Settlement Foundation; Office of the Comprehensive Services Act; and Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth.

Marilyn B. Tavenner was appointed Secretary of Health and Human Resources in January 2006 by Governor Timothy M. Kaine. Secretary Tavenner spent 25 years working for Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) first as a nurse and later as CEO for Johnston-Willis and Chippenham hospitals in Richmond, Virginia and group President of Outpatient Services. After the end of the Kaine administration, Tavenner went on to serve as Principal Deputy Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and later as Acting Administrator.

Acquisition information:
Accession 44685 transferred by Patricia Green, Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, 1111 E. Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, 13 January 2010.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into the following series:

  • Series I. Correspondence and Supporting Documentation - Assigned State Agencies, 2005-2009
  • Series II. Correspondence and Supporting Documentation - Constituents, 2005-2009
  • Series III. Correspondence and Supporting Documentation - Office of the Secretary, 2005-2010
  • Series IV. Correspondence and Supporting Documentation - Office of the Secretary - Constituent Letters, 2006-2009
  • Series V. Decision Memoranda and Briefs, 2006-2009
  • Series VI. Legislative Files, 2006-2009
  • Series VII. Planning and Budget Files - Assigned State Agencies, 2006-2007
  • Series VIII. Public Relations, Activities and Visits, 2006-2007
  • Series IX. Special Projects and Studies, 2006-2009
Physical description:
40.5 cu. ft (92 boxes)