The U.S. Senate confirmed Pamela Hyde as administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) on Nov. 20.

The approval was unanimous, according to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Hyde previously served as secretary of the New Mexico Human Services Department, and director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health, the Ohio Department of Human Services, and the Seattle Department of Housing and Human Services. She also has worked as a CEO of a private nonprofit behavioral healthcare organization. 

“Pamela Hyde has worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of New Mexico to expand access to health and human services programs and improve their quality,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “With over 30 years of experience in both the private and public sectors, Pamela’s health policy expertise and management experience will be invaluable to our department. She will be an outstanding leader at SAMHSA, and I look forward to working with her in this new role.” 

Eric Broderick, D.D.S., has been serving as acting SAMHSA administrator pending Hyde’s confirmation.