Governor Stitt Announces Josh Anderson as Interim Commissioner of Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 5, 2026) - Governor Kevin Stitt today announced the appointment of Josh Anderson as Interim Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

“Josh Anderson understands how to run government more efficiently while keeping the focus on serving people,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “He has consistently worked to cut costs, improve oversight, and deliver better outcomes, and I’m confident he will provide strong leadership at the Department of Mental Health.”

Anderson brings extensive experience in healthcare law, policy, and agency operations. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and a Juris Doctor from Oklahoma City University School of Law.

He joined the Oklahoma State Department of Health in 2020, where he served as Chief Legal and Policy Officer and Interim Deputy Commissioner. In 2025, Anderson was named Chief of Staff at the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, where he oversees key agency functions, including contracting, compliance, communications, legal, and legislative affairs, and has led efforts to streamline operations and strengthen oversight.

“It is an honor to serve Oklahoma in this capacity,” said Anderson. “I recognize the challenges that this agency has overcome, and I’m eager to ensure we set the next administration up for success. Some of Oklahoma’s most vulnerable citizens interact with this agency, so it is a top priority that we are serving them to the best of our ability while maintaining transparency and accountability in everything we do.”