Indiana State Health Commissioner resigns for personal reasons

Gov. Mike Pence's office said the selection process is underway for a replacement.

"Dr. VanNess has served Hoosiers passionately and with great dedication as state health commissioner, and we will miss his leadership," Pence said in a statement.

"During his tenure, the State Department of Health has identified critical health priorities and developed new strategies to improve the health of Hoosiers, including reducing smoking, obesity and infant deaths," Pence said.

"The state of Indiana will continue to tackle these challenges head on, and I wish Dr. VanNess the best in his future endeavors."

VanNess is the second Pence administration official associated with health policy to depart abruptly this summer.

Debra Minott, secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, resigned in June allegedly over a difference of opinion with the governor on how fast FSSA could implement his Health Indiana Plan 2.0 alternative to Medicaid expansion, if Pence's proposal is approved by the federal government.

VanNess also is the second Pence appointee to resign for unspecified personal reasons.

State Auditor Dwayne Sawyer mysteriously quit in December, just three months after Pence appointed him to complete Republican Party Chairman Tim Berry's term as auditor.

In a statement released Friday, VanNess said it has been an honor to serve Indiana as state health commissioner for the last year and a half.

"It is with regret and strictly for personal reasons that I have submitted my resignation," he stated.

He expects his last day will be in early October but said he will help Pence until he finds a replacement.

When VanNess took over in January 2013, his top goals included improving the health of Indiana residents and supporting a statewide trauma system.

Wednesday, the Indiana EMS Commission approved VanNess' recommendation to allow The Methodist Hospitals' Northlake campus in Gary to serve as a Level III trauma center "in progress," meaning the most critical patients in Northwest Indiana will be transported there first for treatment.

VanNess also shined light on Indiana's abysmal infant mortality rate and discussed ways to improve it.

He commended the health department workers.

"The dedicated employees at the Indiana State Department of Health have done a tremendous job of promoting and providing essential public health services for Hoosiers and I have every confidence they will continue to serve the state to the best of their abilities during this transition and after," he said.