Gov. Sam Brownback announced Monday that Kari Bruffett, secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, will resign effective Dec. 31.
Bruffett has been a member of the Brownback administration since he took office in 2011.
Before being named KDADS secretary in May 2014, Bruffett was director of the Health Care Finance division of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
As KDADS secretary, Bruffett oversaw a $1.6 billion agency responsible for the state’s Older American’s Act programs, behavioral health programs, and home and community-based services for older adults and people with disabilities.
Bruffett will join the Kansas Health Institute as director of policy on Jan. 6, 2016.
“We are delighted to have Kari join the Kansas Health Institute,” said Robert St. Peter, M.D., KHI’s president and CEO. “As a respected and well-known expert in health policy, her role at KHI will allow her to continue her commitment to improving the health and well-being of people in our state.”
Bruffett joined KDHE in January 2011 as assistant secretary for policy and external affairs.
She has a background in health policy and government affairs, including eight years at the University of Kansas Hospital and four years on Capitol Hill.
Bruffett is an alumna of Fort Hays State University.
The Kansas Health Institute is the parent organization of KHI News Service, which is editorially independent.
