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New Jersey Health Chief Poonam Alaigh resigns from the post
By siliconindia
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Tuesday, 29 March 2011, 07:28 IST
New York: Indian American Poonam Alaigh, New Jersey's Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, has resigned from the post after 14 months in office, citing personal reasons.
Alaigh is the second Indian-American to be appointed to a cabinet post in the State of New Jersey, the first being Kris Kolluri, former CEO of the state's Schools Development Authority and former Commissioner of New Jersey's Department of Transportation.
Alaigh, who was appointed to the post on Jan 27, 2010, by Republican Governor Chris Christie, has announced that she will step down on April 1 because of a "family emergency."
Alaigh was serving as executive medical director of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield when Christie nominated her to the commissioner's post.
South Asians are part of the state's fastest-growing Asian-American community which comprises 8.2 percent of New Jersey's nearly nine million population.
"I am passionate about the work and accomplishments we have been able to deliver for the families of New Jersey during this time of unprecedented budget challenges," Alaigh said in a statement.
"So, it is with both pride and difficulty that I announce my resignation from the department."
Governor Christie praised Raleigh's service to the state.
He said: "Her commitment and passion for the job has been unprecedented, and her stewardship of the department has been world-class through a period of economic difficulty and an increased need among our citizens for quality health-care services."
Upendra Chivukula, deputy speaker of New Jersey Assembly and first and only South Asian-American lawmaker in the 120-member New Jersey Legislature, said she has introduced innovative programmes for health care delivery and health care solutions that will continue to provide long-term benefits to recipients, as will her advocacy of cutting-edge medical technology.
Interestingly, her deputy, Deputy Commissioner Susan Walsh has also put her papers simultaneously, raising doubts about the whole issue, some state government officials aver.
The resignations come at a time when the department is facing flak on medical marijuana issue that is rocking the state.
Some officials say the health department has come up with strict rules that have come to be viewed as "restrictive" and don't meet the intent of the law passed last year, that made New Jersey the 14th state in the US to legalize medical marijuana.
The department's move to open six alternative treatment centers around the state to grow and sell marijuana has also drawn severe criticism from a section of the public.
However, health department officials say they wanted to make available marijuana to people with certain terminal illness.