Gov.-elect Asa Hutchinson will not be retaining Dr. Joe Thompson as surgeon general when Hutchinson takes office in January, Thompson announced Tuesday.
“I am proud of the accomplishments we have made in our state over the past decade that I have served as surgeon general,” Thompson stated in a press release. “The Arkansas Center for Health Improvement and stakeholders across the state have achieved several major health policy initiatives targeting tobacco cessation, obesity prevention, fluoridation, injury prevention, trauma system development, expanded use of health information technology and finally, payment reform and health coverage expansion.”
Thompson stated in the release that he had intended to submit his letter or resignation to Hutchinson in January when he took office, just as he had when Gov. Mike Beebe took office in 2007 and Thompson was a hold-over from the Gov. Mike Huckabee administration. But Thompson said he received a call from Hutchinson, who told Thompson he would be making changes to the role and did not intend to re-appoint Thompson to the slot.
Thompson was the first person to serve in the position.
“The Arkansas Center for Health Improvement has a long history as a trusted advisor, providing bipartisan, evidence-based solutions for improving the health, quality of life and productivity of Arkansans,” Thompson sated in the release. “While there is considerable political change now taking place in our state, I remain committed to improving the health of Arkansans. As the director of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, I will continue to advocate for strategies that address the health needs of all Arkansans and extend our support to the next administration.”