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Date:  September 11, 1995
For Release:  Immediately
Contact:  HHS Press Office (202) 690-6343

President Clinton Names Public Affairs Head for HHS

President Clinton has announced his intention to nominate Melissa T. Skolfield to be assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Health and Human Services.

In that position, Ms. Skolfield, 37, would be the principal public affairs adviser to Secretary Donna E. Shalala, participating in decisions affecting HHS policy and programs and managing a department-wide public affairs staff. She would also administer the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act matters for the department.

"Melissa Skolfield brings a unique blend of talent and experience to this position," said Secretary Shalala. "She has a keen understanding of the department, the Congress, and the communications strategies necessary to explain our policies and programs to the American people."

Since August 1993, Ms. Skolfield has served as deputy assistant secretary for public affairs (policy and strategy) at the department, where she managed the communications services division and coordinated public affairs activities on several departmental initiatives. She currently serves as acting assistant secretary.

Before joining HHS, she served six years as press secretary for Sen. Dale Bumpers, D-Ark.

From July 1985 to August 1987, Skolfield was press secretary for Rep. Michael Andrews, D-Tex. Before joining Rep. Andrews' staff, she was an account executive for McDaniel & Tate Public Relations in Houston.

Ms. Skolfield was born in New Orleans, La. She received her bachelor's degree in economics and behavioral science from Rice University in 1980 and earned a master's degree in public affairs from the School of Public and International Affairs at George Washington University in 1986.

Over the years, she has also been active in state and national Democratic campaigns. She served as the spokesperson for Sen. Bumpers' 1992 successful re-election campaign; worked with the Clinton for President campaign at the Democratic National Convention in 1992; and also worked for the Democratic National Committee at the Democratic National Convention in 1988.

Ms. Skolfield has served as the president of the Senate Press Secretaries Association and is a former member of the Association of House Democratic Press Assistants and the Public Relations Society of America.

She resides in Washington, D.C., with her husband, Frank Curtis.

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