Hogan names a new health secretary to replace Van Mitchell

Van T. Mitchell (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has named a new health secretary, replacing Van T. Mitchell with Dennis Schrader, who has served as appointments secretary for the past year.

Mitchell served as secretary of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for the past two years.

He is leaving the administration “to pursue opportunities in the private sector,” according to a statement from the governor’s office.

Before joining Hogan’s staff, Schrader, an engineer, was a director at Integrity Consulting Solutions and a faculty member at Towson University.

Chris Cavey, deputy secretary of appointments, will become appointments secretary, and Sean Powell, who heads the state Department of Assessments and Taxation, will become a deputy chief of staff.