Latest news with #Buckham
Axios
16-07-2025
- Health
- Axios
RFK Jr. shakes up top staff at health department
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has shaken up his top staff just months into his tenure atop the Health and Human Services Department. Why it matters: Kennedy's time atop the huge federal health bureaucracy has already been marked by tensions with the White House over the measles outbreak, controversial vaccine policy changes and sweeping layoffs and grant cuts. Driving the news: Kennedy this week ousted his chief of staff Heather Flick Melanson and deputy chief of staff for policy Hannah Anderson after losing confidence in them, CNN first reported, citing sources familiar. An HHS spokesman confirmed Kennedy made a leadership change within the Immediate Office of the Secretary and that HHS' White House Liaison Matt Buckham will serve as Acting Chief of Staff. Buckham was overseeing the recruitment and onboarding of political appointees across the agency. "Secretary Kennedy thanks the outgoing leadership for their service and looks forward to working closely with Mr. Buckham as the Department continues advancing its mission to Make America Healthy Again," the spokesman said.
The Hill
16-07-2025
- Health
- The Hill
RFK Jr. fires two top staffers in leadership shakeup
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. has fired two of the department's top aides in a leadership shakeup, a spokesman confirmed on Wednesday. Heather Flick Melanson, Kennedy's chief of staff, and Hannah Anderson, deputy chief of staff of policy, have both been ousted. No reason was given for the change. According to CNN, which first reported the move, the decision came after Kennedy lost confidence in them. 'Kennedy has made a leadership change within the Immediate Office of the Secretary. Effective immediately, Matt Buckham will serve as Acting Chief of Staff,' the spokesman said. Buckham currently serves as the department's White House liaison, where he oversees the recruitment and onboarding of political appointees across the agency. 'Secretary Kennedy thanks the outgoing leadership for their service and looks forward to working closely with Mr. Buckham as the Department continues advancing its mission to Make America Healthy Again,' the spokesman said.
16-07-2025
- Health
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fires two top deputies at Department of Health and Human Services
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has fired two top deputies at the Department of Health and Human Services, ABC News has learned. Heather Flick Melanson, Kennedy's chief of staff, and Hannah Anderson, deputy chief of staff of policy, are departing, according to a department spokesperson and another person familiar with the decisions. Neither Flick nor Anderson immediately responded to an ABC News request for comment. No reason was given for the ousters. The person familiar with the situation told ABC that Kennedy "has every right to make personnel decisions." "Secretary Kennedy has made a leadership change within the Immediate Office of the Secretary," according to a statement provided by an HHS spokesperson to ABC News. "Effective immediately, Matt Buckham will serve as Acting Chief of Staff." "Mr. Buckham currently serves as the Kennedy's White House liaison at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where he oversees the recruitment and onboarding of political appointees across the agency. He brings valuable experience in personnel strategy and organizational management to this new role," the statement continued. "Secretary Kennedy thanks the outgoing leadership for their service and looks forward to working closely with Mr. Buckham as the Department continues advancing its mission to Make America Healthy Again," the statement concluded.
