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Michigan health director Elizabeth Hertel stepping down from position
By WJBK at FOX 2 Detroit (WJBK) - News
· June 22, 2026
· 1 min read
Hertel led the division for several years while serving under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, including during the pandemic. While she will be tackling a new chapter in her career, it's unclear where her next position will be.
Key takeaway Gretchen Whitmer, including during the pandemic.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The departure of Elizabeth Hertel as Michigan's health director comes at a critical time for Detroit , where public health infrastructure has been tested by the pandemic. As the city continues to navigate the aftermath of COVID-19, Hertel's successor will face pressing challenges, including addressing health disparities and strengthening the local healthcare system. Hertel's experience leading the state's health division during a period of crisis will be difficult to replace, and her legacy will be closely examined in the coming months. The next health director will need to build on the progress made under Hertel's leadership, while also tackling new and emerging public health issues in Detroit and across the state. The selection process for Hertel's replacement will be closely watched, particularly in Detroit, where the impact of state health policy is deeply felt.
About this story
Original reporting by FOX 2 Detroit (WJBK) - News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit FOX 2 Detroit (WJBK) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: FOX 2 Detroit (WJBK) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Hertel led the division for several years while serving under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, including during the pandemic. While she will be tackling a new chapter in her career, it's unclear where her next position will be.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by FOX 2 Detroit (WJBK) - News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by WJBK at FOX 2 Detroit (WJBK) - News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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