News Release

Secretary Names Next Health Attaché To Iraq

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Mike Leavitt today announced that Terry Cline, Ph.D., will become the Department’s next Health Attaché and representative at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, effective August 31^st.

Dr. Cline is currently administrator for HHS’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  Effective August 30^th, Dr. Cline will leave this post, and RADM Eric Broderick, D.D.S., 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 U.S. 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.”  The Secretary also thanked Capt. Bruno Himmler of the HHS Indian Health Service, the outgoing Health Attaché, for his service.

As Health Attaché, Dr. Cline will coordinate HHS programs in Iraq and provide advice to the U.S. ambassador, HHS Secretary and others.  He will also be a liaison to Iraq’s Ministries of Health, Higher Education and Social Affairs, and will work closely with international organizations, private partners and other U.S. government agencies engaged in health-related activities.

Since December 2006, Dr. Cline has led HHS’SAMHSA, the $3.3 billion 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.  Prior to this appointment, he 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 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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Last revised: July 22, 2008