Oklahoma Human Services celebrates confirmation of director, Dr. Deborah Shropshire
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (May 25, 2023) – Oklahoma Human Services is pleased to announce the confirmation of Dr. Deborah Shropshire as its director. Governor Kevin Stitt appointed Dr. Shropshire to the role on the first day of his second term, Jan. 10, 2023. Dr. Shropshire is the first woman to hold the role in Oklahoma history and one of the first pediatricians to be named director of a human services agency in the country.
“I am honored to build on the tremendous legacy of Oklahoma’s many women public servants who have gone before me and to lead an agency that makes such incredible impacts for Oklahomans in need,” said Shropshire. “More than a million and a half Oklahomans rely on our agency for a variety of services that increase their independence and sense of hope. I look forward to our continued work on the many projects we have started over the last several years to serve children and families even better into this next season and celebrate the incredible workforce who share this calling to serve our community.”
"I am grateful for the support of so many in our state's leadership and the transformative work we are doing together to create a brighter future for Oklahoma," continued Shropshire. "Many thanks to Governor Stitt for my nomination, to Pro Tem Greg Treat and Chairman Paul Rosino for their continued support and to Senator Kristen Thompson for carrying my nomination."
Dr. Shropshire has spent well over two decades and her entire professional career serving the children and families of Oklahoma. She has held prior roles as Director of Child Welfare Services beginning in 2019, Deputy Director of Community Partnerships in 2014 and as Medical Director for children and youth in foster care and, earlier, at the Pauline Mayer Children’s Shelter from 2001 to 2015. Dr. Shropshire also previously served on the Special Review Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect Deaths and as Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.
“Dr. Deb’s passion and dedication to serve children and families makes her a force of nature to create lasting, positive changes for our state,” said Oklahoma Secretary of Human Services Justin Brown. “She is the right leader at the right time to continue to drive innovation, exceptional service and hope for our state’s families.
Dr. Shropshire is the recipient of multiple local and national awards including the 2014 National Ray Helfer Award for Child Abuse Prevention from the National Alliance on Children's Trust and Prevention Funds and the 2007 Commissioner's Award for Outstanding Service in the Field of Child Abuse and Neglect from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Children, Youth and Families.
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