The Senate Health Committee today, March 3, voted to recommend that the Senate consent to the appointment of Dr. Elizabeth “Libby” Char as Director of the Department of Health (DOH). She took over leadership at the DOH on Sept. 16, 2020, after being appointed by Gov. David Ige.
Char is an emergency physician and graduate of the University of Hawai’i, John A. Burns School of Medicine. Her vast clinical and administrative experience includes residency training in California, emergency medicine practice at the Queen’s Medical Center, and served as State of Hawai‘i EMS District Medical Director for O‘ahu.
“I’m very pleased that the committee unanimously voted to recommend advise and consent to Dr. Char’s nomination,” said Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, chair of the Senate Committee on Health. “She has already proven herself as a capable leader and I look forward to continued collaborations with her as we continue to navigate through this pandemic.
Char took over the department after Bruce Anderson resigned from the position. If confirmed, Char’s term of office would be through noon on Dec. 5, 2022.
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