NEWS RELEASE
Thomas Suehs
Executive Commissioner
Date: June 16, 2011
Contact: Stephanie Goodman (512) 424-6951
Wanser Named DARS Commissioner
Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Tom Suehs has selected Debra Wanser as commissioner for the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Wanser, who has more than 30 years of health care administration experience, has been serving as DARS acting commissioner since Jan. 1.
“Debra has experience as a successful administrator, and she is also a person of great compassion,” Suehs said. “She has both the mind and the heart for the job.”
For the past three years, Wanser has been the second ranking DARS administrator, providing leadership and oversight to the department’s Center for Policy and Innovation, Center for Program and External Relations and Center for Learning Management. Before coming to DARS, she was assistant commissioner for Adult Protective Services at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and associate commissioner for Family Health with the Texas Department of Health.
Wanser is a registered nurse and has a master’s degree from the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs as well as degrees from St. Edward’s University and Oklahoma State University School of Nursing.
Wanser’s appointment was made with the approval of Gov. Rick Perry.
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