Biography of WINSTON WILKINSON

Director, Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Winston Wilkinson was appointed by HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt on Monday December 19, 2005, to serve as Director Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Mr. Wilkinson provides overall leadership of OCR's mission to promote and ensure that individuals have equal access and opportunity in all HHS programs, without facing unlawful discrimination. OCR also has responsibility for implementing and enforcing the Privacy Rule. A major goal of the rule is to assure that individuals' health information is properly protected while allowing the flow of health information needed to provide and promote high quality health care and to protect the public's health and well being.

Prior to joining HHS, Mr. Wilkinson served as Chief Executive Officer of Winston Wilkinson & Associates, a firm providing strategic consulting services to clients primarily focused on local, state and federal issues. Mr. Wilkinson also served as in house legal counsel to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah. Mr. Wilkinson has spent many years of service in the public and private sectors. He was also involved in the civil rights movement of the 60's and 70's. He began his public service by joining the U.S. Navy in 1962 and served his country for four years. In 1981, he joined the U.S. Department of Education as a political appointee and served until 1988. While at the Department of Education, Winston served as Special Assistant in the Office of Civil Rights; Special Assistant in the Office of Rehabilitation Services, and in the office of the Secretary. In 1988, he moved over to HHS and served as Deputy Director in the Office for Civil Rights.

Wilkinson received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Morgan State University in 1971 and completed his Juris Doctorate from Howard University Law School in 1974.

He and his wife Gloria have 4 children and live in Sandy, Utah.