Section 1401 - Secretary of Health; head of Department; appointment; term of office; seal(a) The Department of Health shall consist of a Secretary of Health, an advisory board and a Physician General.(b) The Secretary shall be the head of the department, and shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Secretary shall be either a graduate of an accredited medical or osteopathic medical school who is a practicing physician licensed by the Commonwealth or an individual with professional experience in the field of public health, health services delivery or education or training of health service professionals. The secretary shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
(c) There shall be an office of Physician General within the administrative structure of the department. The Physician General shall be appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The department shall provide adequate staff and other support as needed. The Physician General shall be a graduate of an accredited medical or osteopathic medical school and shall be a practicing physician licensed by the Commonwealth. The Physician General shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Physician General shall: (1) Advise the Governor and the secretary on health policy.(2) Participate in the decision making process of the department on policies relating to all medical and public health-related issues and in the decision making process of other executive branch agencies as directed by the Governor.(3) Review professional standards and practices in medicine and public health which are related to matters within the jurisdiction of the department and other executive branch agencies.(4) Consult with recognized experts on medical and public health matters which are within the jurisdiction of the department and other executive branch agencies.(5) Provide advice on medical and public health issues to the secretary and to other executive branch agencies.(6) Coordinate educational, informational and other programs for the promotion of wellness, public health and related medical issues in this Commonwealth and serve as the primary advocate for these programs.(7) Consult with experts in this Commonwealth and other states regarding medical research, innovation and development which relate to programs and issues of importance to the department and the Commonwealth.(8) Perform such other duties as directed by the Governor.(9) When the secretary is not a physician, serve as a voting member of the State Board of Medicine and the State Board of Osteopathic Medicine. The Physician General may provide a designee to serve in his or her stead. The salary and other conditions of employment shall be set by the Executive Board.(d) The department shall have an official seal.1905, April 27, P.L. 312, § 1. Amended 1921, March 17, P.L. 37, § 1; 1996, July 2, P.L. 518, No. 87, § 1, imd. effective.