Cline Named To Head Department Of Health

Former Secretary of Health Terry Cline will return to the state in July to take over the Oklahoma Department of Health, it was announced today.

Cline was head of Oklahoma’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services from 2001 to 2006, when he left to become administrator of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

During that time, Cline was appointed by Governor Henry as Secretary of Health, serving in the cabinet position from 2004 to 2006.

He's now the health attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

Cline replaces Michael Crutcher, a medical doctor who retired in January after serving five years.

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Henry Adds Crutcher, Shirley; Polonchek Named

Governor Brad Henry has named State Health Commissioner Michael Crutcher to replace Terry Cline as cabinet health secretary and Natalie Shirley as commerce secretary.

Cline, former director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, had been Henry's health secretary until he received a presidential appointment.

Shirley replaces Kathy Taylor, who left to become Tulsa's mayor. She is the former president and CEO of ICI Mutual Insurance Group in Washington, D.C. She graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1979 and received a law degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1982.

Henry also promoted Amy Polonchek from interim director to executive director of the state Department of Commerce, a post that Taylor also vacated when she ran for mayor.

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