Parson hopes to pick new Missouri health director quickly

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Mike Parson said Thursday he hopes to name a new state health director quickly to rebuild the agency after parting ways with the man who had led it throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

The governor's office announced the resignation Tuesday of Department of Health and Senior Services director Randall Williams without providing any specific reason for his departure.

Speaking for the first time about it, Parson told reporters: "I thought it was the best thing for the Cabinet, the best thing for the governor's office that we go in different directions."

The Republican governor didn't elaborate on reasons for the split but noted the past year has been "extremely difficult" for a lot of his Cabinet members, who never had the opportunity to take a break.

"It continued to be a very stressful environment, and I'll say this -- as governor, I expect so much out of my Cabinet, I truly do. I push, and I push hard," Parson said.

Williams had been appointed to lead the health department in 2017 by former Gov. Eric Greitens, who resigned the next year while facing potential impeachment proceedings over scandals involving a sexual affair and alleged campaign violations. Parson, who had been lieutenant governor, kept many of Greitens' top officials when Parson ascended to the governor's office.

But Parson this week also parted ways with chief operating officer Drew Erdmann, who served in a position Greitens had created. He said both had done a good job and he would give them "a high reference" if looking for work elsewhere.

Parson, who won election to a full four-year term last November, said he was less concerned about replacing Erdmann but hopes to recruit someone to lead the health department within 30 to 60 days.

"I think you'll see that whole department, that whole agency, be rebuilt," Parson said.

As health director, Williams frequently accompanied Parson to briefings about the COVID-19 pandemic. He repeatedly urged Missourians to wear masks, social distance and wash their hands to help slow the spread of the virus. He also backed Parson's decision not to require face masks throughout the state.

The health department had been criticized by some for its rollout of the state's voter-approved medical marijuana program and for the department's efforts to revoke the license to perform abortions of a Planned Parenthood clinic in the St. Louis area.

Sam Lee, director of Campaign Life Missouri, said Thursday he was disappointed by Williams' departure.

"From a pro-life perspective, he was excellent -- couldn't have asked for anyone better," Lee said.

Planned Parenthood had said in a statement Tuesday that it felt "vindicated for every Missourian whose life was made harder because of Williams' failure as a public health leader."