Department of Health & Mental HygUne/253

Although the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene was created in 1969, its historical develop-
ment began in the nineteenth century. The Department of Health was established in 1874 (Chapter 200,
Acts of 1874). The separate development of the Department of Mental Hygiene, however, dates from
1886, when the State Lunacy Commission was formed (Chapter 487, Acts of 1886). In 1922, the
Commission was replaced by the Board of Mental Hygiene (Chapter 29, Acts of 1922). The Board, in
turn, was succeeded by the Department of Mental Hygiene in 1949 (Chapter 685, Acts of 1949). By
1961, the State Board of Health and Mental Hygiene was created to maintain authority over the
Department of Health and the Department ofMental Hygiene (Chapter 841, Acts of 1961). The present
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene replaced the State Board in 1969 (Chapter 77, Acts of 1969).

The Department protects the inherent right of Marylanders to a healthful environment and a high level
of physical, mental, and social health. Through the development of a comprehensive, continuous and
accessible system of health services, the Department promotes health and prevents disease and disability.

Many programs are, by their nature, public functions and cannot be performed effectively by the private
sector. Prune among these is the responsibility for dealing with epidemiological hazards to health, such as
communicable diseases, and the organization of community efforts to prevent or control their impact.

Local health departments are the focal point in the delivery of services. Overseen by the Department
of Health and Mental Hygiene, twenty-four local health departments report to the Deputy Secretary for
Public Health Services and have access to all Department officials as well.

The Department also provides or purchases direct care services. These primarily include residential and
outpatient care for the mentally ill; the mentally retarded; the chronically ill, including those with
tuberculosis; the impaired elderly; and persons with addictive conditions. Several health services for the
community as well as comprehensive health care services for the indigent and medically indigent are
provided directly by the Department.

In 1987, the Department was reorganized under deputy secretaries responsible for three distinct
programmatic areas: Operations; Public Health Services; and Policy, Financing, and Regulation.

Informational brochures and other publications useful to the public are available either at no cost or
for a nominal fee by contacting the appropriate Department agency

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY Appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent, the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene is responsible for the functions of the Department. The Secretary also directs and coordi- nates numerous boards, commissions, and various citizen advisory groups. BOARD OF REVIEW Chairperson: Mildred L. Tyssowski, 1991 Appointed by Governor wirJi Senate advice & consent: Carol Kehring, 1989; Thelma M. Millard, 1989; Jane S. Buckley, 1990; Richard K. C. Hsieh, Ph.D., 1990; Joan H. Phillips, R.N., 1990; Alan S. Cohen, 1991. 300 W. Preston St. Baltimore, MD 21201 225-6972 The Board of Review was established in 1969 (Chapter 77, Acts of 1969). The Board makes recommendations to the Secretary on the operation and administration of the Department. The Board also hears appeals as provided by law.

The Board's seven members are appointed to three-year terms by the Governor with Senate ad- vice and consent (Code Health—General Article, secs. 2-201 through 2-207). DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR OPERATIONS John M. Staubitz, Deputy Secretary 201 W. Preston St. Baltimore, MD 21201 225-6510 The Deputy Secretary for Operations provides support services to the Department. The Deputy Secretary plans, organizes, directs, coordinates, and evaluates a range of professional, technical, and administrative services. These include Department- wide support services in financial planning, expen- diture control, personnel management, data processing, general services, grants administration, and capital construction. The Deputy Secretary also aids the Secretary in addressing matters that involve other State agencies, the legislature, the guberna- torial staff, and the federal government.