Jan Malcolm
Jan Malcolm | |
|---|---|
| 10th Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health[1] | |
| In office 19 January 1999 – 2003 | |
| Governor | Jesse Ventura |
| Preceded by | Anne Barry |
| Succeeded by | Dianne Mandernach |
| 16th Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health | |
| In office 31 January 2018 – January 2023 | |
| Governor | Mark Dayton Tim Walz |
| Preceded by | Ed Ehlinger |
| Succeeded by | Brooke Cunningham |
| Personal details | |
| Spouse | Kris Carlton |
| Alma mater | Dartmouth College |
| Occupation | Psychologist |
Jan Malcolm is a former Health Commissioner of Minnesota. [2] She has served twice as the Commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Health under three different governors; first from 1999 to 2003 under former governor Jesse Ventura, and secondly from 2018 to 2023 under Mark Dayton and Tim Walz.[3]
Early life
Malcolm graduated from Minnetonka High School in Minnesota in 1973.[4] She attended Dartmouth College, earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and psychology.[5]
Career
Malcolm served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Minnesota at the School of Public Health,[6] as well as working as the CEO of Courage Center and the Vice President of Public Affairs and Philanthropy at Allina Health.[6]
Most notably, Malcolm served as Health Commissioner under three different governors of Minnesota.[5] Malcolm began her first term as Commissioner under Jesse Ventura. She served from 1999-2003[4] Nearly twenty years later, she was appointed by Mark Dayton after her predecessor, Ed Ehlinger, resigned.[4] She was put in charge over 1,500 employees and a budget of over $600 million.[4] Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, she faced intense criticism from the Republican party,[5] facing repeated calls to remove her from her position.[7]
In 2024, the American Medical Association honored her with the AMA Award for Outstanding Government Service.[8]
Personal life
Malcolm was married to Kris Carlton, who died in 2019.[9] She remains close friends with her high school classmate Ann Reed, notable folk singer and songwriter.[10]
In June 2021, Malcolm was awarded the Lavender Community Pride Award for LGBTQ Individual.[11]
Notable works
- Leading Public Health: A Competency Framework[12]
References
- ↑ "Information on Minnesota State Agencies, Boards, Task Forces, and Commissions". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
- ↑ Tribune, Chris Serres Star. "New Commissioner Jan Malcolm brings 'instant credibility' to Minnesota Health Department". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
- ↑ "Meet the woman Gov. Mark Dayton hired to fix Minnesota's health department". Twin Cities. 2018-01-30. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
- 1 2 3 4 Tribune, Briana Bierschbach Star. "At the head of state Health Department, Jan Malcolm is 'Minnesota's Dr. Fauci'". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
- 1 2 3 "Gov. Walz defends his health commissioner". kare11.com. October 26, 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
- 1 2 "Commissioner Jan Malcolm". www.health.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
- ↑ "With job on the line, Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm to meet with top Republican on Friday". Twin Cities. 2021-11-19. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
- ↑ "Jan Malcolm". United Theraputics. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
- ↑ "Obituary for Kris Carlton". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
- ↑ "Award Honorees: Jan Malcolm '73". Minnetonka Alumni Association. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
- ↑ Tarala, Kassidy (2021-06-17). "Lavender Community Pride Award for LGBTQ Individual: Jan Malcolm - Serving All People | Lavender Magazine". Retrieved 2021-12-09.
- ↑ "Jan Malcolm". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 2021-10-28.