“I am extremely proud of Cathy Eden’s accomplishments,” Governor Napolitano said. “In five years, she has transformed the Department of Health Services, and in doing so, improved the lives of all Arizonans.”

Eden will remain as Director until the end of the legislative session. Governor Napolitano will appoint a selection committee to pick her successor.

Director Eden said, “It has been an honor to serve Governor Napolitano, and to sit on her cabinet. And it has been an honor to serve the people of Arizona as Director of this wonderful Department.”

“But after five years of service as Health Director, it is time to move on to the next challenge in my life,” Eden said.

Governor Napolitano said Director Eden has accomplished many great things and overcome many difficult challenges. For example:

• The Arizona Department of Health Services has rebuilt, piece by piece, the Department’s public health infrastructure, making the state better prepared to deal with any public health emergency, including bioterrorism.
   
• In June 2004, Governor Napolitano and Director Eden dedicated a new state of the art Arizona State Health Laboratory that puts Arizona at the forefront of bio-defense preparedness. The 73,000-square-foot facility replaces a crumbling old facility, which houses Bio-Safety Level 3 facilities, the highest in the state. The next highest is Bio-Safety Level 4, which is only found at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
   
• Arizona was the first health agency to win federally funded bioterrorism preparedness grant from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Department has developed a statewide response system in case of a bioterrorism attack or other public health emergency.
   
• The Department settled Jason K., a 10-year-old class action lawsuit, ensuring improved services for children with serious mental illness and their families. This landmark case is a model for other states grappling with treatment of children with mental illness.
   
•  More than 17,000 people with serious mental illness in Maricopa County will benefit from a historic agreement in a 25-year-old class action lawsuit, Arnold vs. Sarn. This groundbreaking agreement sets forth a workable plan to finally end a costly and long-standing legal battle, but more importantly, it ensures people with mental illness in Maricopa County will receive the services they deserve.

“With our partners in public health, we have helped this state weather many crises, from the anthrax scare to West Nile Virus and the flu vaccine shortage,” Director Eden added. “We helped our state to emerge stronger and healthier.”

She added, “Today the pregnancy rate for Arizona teenagers is at a record low, infant mortality is at an all-time law, and childhood immunizations rates are at a high point. These trends point to a healthier future for Arizona’s children.”

Eden also thanked the employees of the Arizona Department of Health Services for their “tireless work to improve the lives of all Arizonans.”

“There is still much work to be done, and I will be hard at it until the minute I walk out the front doors for the last time,” the Director said.