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Former Legislator Gillan Named HHS Regional Head

By Beacon Staff

HELENA — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says former Montana state Sen. Kim Gillan will head a six-state region for the federal agency.

The Billings Democrat will be HHS’ director of Region VIII, which includes Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming.

Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says Gillan was chosen because of her experience in public service and higher education, and because she has been engaged in health-related policy initiatives.

Gillan did not immediately return a call for comment Wednesday.

Gillan lost to Republican Steve Daines in the 2012 election for Montana’s only U.S. House seat.

She was previously an energy analyst and business consultant and worked at Montana State University-Billings, where she helped devise training programs to prepare women prisoners to re-enter the workforce.