HHS Secretary Taps SAMHSA Administrator
for New Post
Dr. Cline Named Next Health Attaché to Iraq
SAMHSA Administrator Terry L. Cline, Ph.D., will become
the Department’s new Health Attaché and
representative at the U.S. Embassy
in Baghdad, Iraq, effective August 31, according to
a recent announcement by Secretary of Health and Human
Services (HHS) Mike O. Leavitt.
Dr. Cline will leave his post as SAMHSA Administrator,
and RADM Eric Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H., SAMHSA’s
Deputy Administrator, will become the Agency’s
Acting Administrator. In addition, Kana Enomoto will
become SAMHSA’s Acting Deputy Administrator.
“Terry’s experiences as a caregiver, manager
of state-level health systems, and builder of strong
collaborative relationships make him an excellent choice
to help the Federal Government advise Iraq as it rebuilds
its health care system,” Secretary Leavitt said. “I
appreciate Terry’s commitment to improving health
care globally, and welcome him to this important new
role.”
As Health Attaché, Dr. Cline will help coordinate
HHS programs in Iraq and provide advice to the U.S.
ambassador, the HHS Secretary, and others. He will
also be a liaison to Iraq’s Ministries of Health,
Higher Education, and Social Affairs. He will work
closely with international organizations, private partners,
and other Federal agencies engaged in health-related
activities.
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An Effective Leader
Since December 2006, Dr. Cline has led SAMHSA, the
Agency responsible for improving the accountability,
capacity, and effectiveness of the Nation’s delivery
systems to prevent substance abuse, treat addiction,
and provide mental health services. SAMHSA is funded
at approximately $3.3 billion per year.
A few of SAMHSA’s accomplishments during this
time period included:
Emphasizing the public health approach to preventive
substance abuse and mental health services Reinforcing to Congress the importance of mental health
parity as described in the President’s New Freedom
Initiative Building public awareness on underage drinking and
other health concerns of the Surgeon General Increasing availability of grants to American Indians
and Alaska Natives and other special populations Encouraging communities around the country to improve
substance abuse and mental health services for returning
veterans and other at-risk populations Supporting the President’s Access to Recovery
program -
Expanding SAMHSA’s program on Screening, Brief
Intervention, and Referral to Treatment.
Prior to this appointment, Dr. Cline served as Oklahoma’s
Secretary of Health and Commissioner
of the Oklahoma Department of Mental
Health and Substance Abuse Services.
He was also a provider at a community
mental health center, and he served
as an instructor in clinical psychiatry
at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Cline received his bachelor’s degree from
the University of Oklahoma, and a
master’s degree
and doctorate in clinical psychology
from Oklahoma State University. 
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