Marc Smolonsky, Associate Deputy Secretary
Marc Smolonsky joined HHS as Associate Deputy Secretary in May 2009. He provides policy guidance on issues involving a cross section of HHS programs and helps formulate responses to ongoing independent program evaluations from such organizations as the Office of Inspector General, the General Accounting Office and Congressional committees. He also provides leadership in HHS efforts to enhance program integrity and fraud detection efforts in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Mr. Smolonsky served as the Associate Director for Legislative Policy and Analysis at the National Institutes of Health from 1999 to 2009. He also was a Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation at HHS from 1994 to 1999. Prior to joining HHS, Mr. Smolonsky had a distinguished 15-year career in the U.S. Congress, working for committees in both the House and Senate specializing in the oversight of government programs. He is also a published novelist and former journalist.
Jarel LaPan, Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary
Jarel LaPan joined HHS as Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary in January 2009, before becoming the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Secretary in 2012. She provides guidance and support to the Deputy Secretary on Secretarial initiatives, department-wide priorities and other mission critical issues. In this role, she coordinates activities with leadership from HHS operating divisions, other federal agencies and the White House on policy and program development. Prior to joining HHS, Jarel worked for two years on the Obama for America campaign, where she managed statewide political operations with a focus on health policy outreach. She has also worked in the Office of the Montana Insurance Commissioner and at GMMB in Washington, DC. Originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, Jarel is a graduate of The George Washington University with a degree in Political Science.