OKPOLICY.ORG
It was a surprise to see that Deborah Shropshire, M.D., has resigned as director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services after less than two years in the office. She joined DHS in 2014 and was appointed director by Gov. Kevin Stitt in January 2023. Before that, she was medical director at the former Pauline E. Mayer Children’s Shelter and helped develop the Fostering Hope Clinic for children in foster care. She also served on the Special Review Committee on child abuse and neglect deaths.
As a long-time practicing physician and agency administrator, she was exceptionally well qualified to lead an agency with responsibility for serving abused and neglected children, people with disabilities, and those suffering from the consequences of poverty.
At the time of her appointment Gov. Stitt said, “Dr. Shropshire is a stand-up Oklahoman with a heart for servant leadership and a proven track record of success at Oklahoma Human Services.”
I first met Dr. Shropshire several years ago when she spoke to the Tulsa Children’s Consortium, a group of non-profit organizations in Tulsa that provides services and advocates for children. She was knowledgeable, warm, articulate, and down to earth. No doubt her leadership will be missed at the Department of Human Services.
There has been quite a bit of speculation about the reason for Dr. Shropshire’s resignation. That’s to be expected when the director of a large and important state agency resigns with roughly three weeks’ notice and without announcing the reason. The fact that she did not state a reason in her letter of resignation probably means there is a reason. If she wants to say something about it in time, I’m sure she will.
The Oklahoman reported that Shropshire had been “called to a meeting with the governor” the day before she submitted her letter of resignation. After several days of silence, the governor’s office issued a statement thanking Dr. Shropshire for her service and quoting the governor saying, “Shropshire has been a relentless fighter for Oklahoma families throughout her decade long career at Human Services.”
The statement praised her work and quoted the governor saying, “I’m grateful for Dr. Shropshire’s leadership and I wish her best in her next chapter.”
Dr. Shropshire will no doubt soon find a place where her professional skills and calling to serve children and those less fortunate will be fulfilled. We should all wish her the best, with thanks.
