Okla. Senate confirms Human Services director
Shropshire first woman to lead the department
The Oklahoma Senate on Thursday confirmed Dr. Deborah Shropshire as executive director of the state Department of Human Services, making her the first woman to lead the massive department.
“I am honored to build on the tremendous legacy of Oklahoma’s many women public servants who have gone before me and to lead an agency that makes such incredible impacts for Oklahomans in need,” said Shropshire.
“More than a million and a half Oklahomans rely on our agency for a variety of services that increase their independence and sense of hope. I look forward to our continued work on the many projects we have started over the last several years to serve children and families even better into this next season and celebrate the incredible workforce who share this calling to serve our community.”
The Department of Human Services administers $3.9 billion a year in state and federal funding for programs aiding children, families and older Oklahomans,
Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Shropshire to the top post in January, calling her “a stand-up Oklahoman with a heart for servant leadership and a proven track record of success at Oklahoma Human Services.”
Shropshire, 51, is a pediatrician who received her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, where she is an associate professor of pediatrics. She received a master’s degree in health administration at the OU College of Public Health and a bachelor’s degree in science at Southern Nazarene University.
Shropshire has served at the DHS since 2014 as director of child welfare, deputy director of community partnerships and medical director for children and youth in foster care.
Shropshire was the medical director at the former Pauline E. Mayer Children’s Shelter and helped develop the Fostering Hope Clinic for children in foster care, according to the DHS. She also served on the Special Review Committee on child abuse and neglect deaths.