The Executive Secretariat
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Jennifer M. Cannistra
Executive Secretary
Jennifer Cannistra has served as Executive Secretary since November 2011. In this role, she is a principal advisor to the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, and Chief of Staff and head of the Department’s Executive Secretariat (Exec Sec). She provides direct counsel to the Secretary on HHS-administered programs; participates in the formulation, development, and implementation of departmental policy; and represents the Secretary’s interests with White House staff, other Departments and agencies, and external groups. Exec Sec manages the Department’s policy review and decision-making processes, coordinating the development, clearance, and submission of all policy documents for the Secretary’s review and approval. The staff has two components, described in more detail below: policy coordination and documents/regulations management.
Previously, Jen served as Senior Advisor for Legal Affairs in the Office of Health Reform at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, where she worked on implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Earlier in the Administration, Jen served as Policy Analyst and Director of Special Projects in the White House Office of Health Reform, where she worked closely with officials from across the Administration to develop and pass health reform. Jen received a B.A. from Princeton University, a Masters degree from Oxford University, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.
The Executive Secretariat
Room 603-H
200 Independence Avenue S.W.
Washington, DC 20201
Phone: 202-690-5627
Fax: 202-205-2135
Executive Secretary to the Department, Jennifer M. Cannistra
E-mail: Jennifer.Cannistra@hhs.gov
Deputy Executive Secretary, Oliver Potts
E-mail: Oliver.Potts@hhs.gov
Policy Coordination
Policy Coordinators are policy neutral and confidential staff who manage the Department’s development and review of regulations, correspondence, Reports to Congress, and other policy documents, facilitating discussions to reconcile policy disagreements. They are experts on HHS-administered programs who identify, manage, and help resolve the many complex, technical issues the Department must consider. When an issue requires a Secretarial decision, they ensure that the Secretary receives thoroughly developed options and supporting materials on an issue. Policy Coordinators also manage the Department’s regulatory review process.
Documents and Regulations Management
The Office of Documents and Regulations Management (ODRM) staff oversee publication of departmental regulations and related documents and manage the circulation of Secretarial documents within the Department. ODRM staff are familiar with Department programs and priorities, and they analyze reports, memoranda, and correspondence to the Secretary, assigning documents to the appropriate component within the Department for drafting and review.