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Current HHS Assistant Secretary for Health, Dr. John Agwunobi, has resigned to accept an appointment with Wal-Mart Corporation.  This move should not really come as a surprise, as Washington insider speculation had Agwunobi pegged early on as a contender for the position of Surgeon General.  When President Bush decided to appoint another individual to serve in that position, Agwunobi realized his political and government service careers had, at least temporarily, reached their zenith.

What is not in the press (and one of the reasons why you hopefully read and subscribe to this blog) is the Rest of the Story on the Wal-Mart move.  The individual who recruited Agwunobi to the Bentonville, Arkansas megacorp is none other than Bill Simon.  Bill is former Secretary of the Department of Management Services under former Governor Jeb Bush, and served as Secretary while Agwunobi served as Florida's Secretary of Health.  Simon left State government, in no small part, because of radiation poisoning from the still-radioactive PeopleFirst debacle.  Simon had nothing to do with that project, except try in vain to repair it and make it workable.  When it became apparent his legacy as Secretary would revolve around that unstable radioactive mass, he wisely left and cashed in at the House That Sam Built.

Ditto Agwunobi.  Here are the HHS and Wal-Mart press releases, in full.  I also wanted to give a hat-tip to the "reveres" at flu blogsite Effect Measure for breaking the story.

For Immediate Release Contact: HHS Press Office

August 7, 2007 202/690-6343

STATEMENT FROM HHS SECRETARY MIKE LEAVITT ON THE RESIGNATION OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH DR. JOHN AGWUNOBI

I regret to announce the resignation of Dr. John Agwunobi as Assistant Secretary for Health (ASH) and an Admiral in the US Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps effective September 4th, 2007.

Since joining HHS in 2005, Dr. Agwunobi has been a passionate voice for advancing the health care of all Americans. His leadership, counsel and expertise have contributed greatly to increasing American's awareness and preparedness for pandemic influenza, encouraging adoption of healthier lifestyles and leading the renewal of the USPHS Commissioned Corps.

Dr. Agwunobi has distinguished himself through the energy and commitment with which he has approached every task at HHS. I will miss him personally and professionally and wish him well in his future endeavors.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sarah Clark, Wal-Mart

1-800-331-0085

 

Dr. John Agwunobi to join Wal-Mart as Senior Vice President and President for the Professional Services Division

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Tuesday, August 7, 2007 --Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. is pleased to announce that Dr. John Agwunobi, current Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and an Admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, has been named Senior Vice President and President for the Professional Services Division for Wal-Mart in the U.S. effective September 4.

Dr. Agwunobi will oversee the company's health and wellness business unit including pharmacies, vision centers and health care clinics. He is the country's expert on public health, and he will bring new perspective, diverse talents and tremendous expertise to our company in his new role.

He will report to Bill Simon, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Wal-Mart Stores U.S.

"John is the country's expert on public health, and I look forward to his contributions in furthering Wal-Mart's health and wellness efforts," said Simon. "He will bring new perspective, diverse talents and tremendous expertise to our company in his new role."

Added Dr. Agwunobi, "Wal-Mart touches many lives in many communities and this position provides me with a new opportunity to reach people in the places where they live, work and shop. I am very excited to join the Wal-Mart team."

Dr. Agwunobi, also a pediatrician, is a seasoned public health professional with experience in health care delivery, managed care and health care policy. As Assistant Secretary for Health, he was responsible for disease prevention, health promotion, women and minority health efforts, the reduction of health disparities, the fight against HIV/AIDS, pandemic influenza planning and vaccine preventable disease initiatives.

Prior to his current position, Dr. Agwunobi served as Florida's Secretary of Health and State Health Officer from October 2001 to September 2005. In this role, he confronted many public health challenges, including leading the state's public health and medical response to four major hurricanes, led the call for a healthier Florida, managed the response to the nation's first-ever intentional anthrax attack, and guided Florida's nationally-recognized efforts to protect the state against bioterrorism.