Dr. Laura Herrera Scott, Maryland’s health secretary since the start of the Moore administration, is stepping down at the end of the month. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters)
Maryland Health Secretary Laura Herrera Scott will leave the position she has held since Moore named her in January 2023, multiple sources tell Maryland Matters.
Scott will remain in the position for the remainder of this month when she will be temporarily succeeded by Deputy Health Secretary Ryan Moran. Sources indicate that Gov. Wes Moore (D) is expected to nominate Meena Seshamani to succeed Scott on a permanent basis.
Seshamani is a former executive with MedStar who more recently was the deputy administrator at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Herrara Scott’s departure marks the third change to Moore’s Cabinet this year — and the installation of a second former official in the Biden administration.
Two weeks ago it was announced that Maryland Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson would depart the agency he has led since the early days of the Moore administration. Replacing him is Harry Coker Jr., a former high-ranking federal official, intelligence officer and retired Navy commander. Anderson will become an economic development adviser to the governor.
Last week, a spokesperson for the Department of Human Services confirmed to Maryland Matters that Secretary Rafael Lopez had taken a leave of absence. A reason for the absence and timeline for his return were not provided.
This story will be updated.