Fallin Appoints two Members to the DHS Commission

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today announced the appointments of Pam Kanaly and Karen Waddell to the Commission for Human Services. The Oklahoma Commission for Human Services is a nine-member governing board for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS). Its members are appointed by the governor to staggered nine-year terms, with one membership expiring each August. These appointments fill all current vacancies on the OKDHS Commission.

“The ongoing reforms at the Department of Human Services – including the implementation of the Pinnacle Plan – are essential in our efforts to improve child welfare services,” Fallin said.  “Both Pam Kanaly and Karen Waddell are respected and successful community leaders with a  great deal of experience working with families and children.  I know both are ready for the challenge and committed to serving on the Commission in order to help the agency to better protect and serve the children and citizens of Oklahoma.”

Pam Kanaly of Edmond is the president and co-founder of Arise Ministries, a national women’s outreach organization founded in 2002 that works to strengthen families and support single mothers. Prior to her work with Arise, Kanaly taught elementary and junior high school in Texas. Kanaly is a member of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and the Edmond Chamber of Commerce.  She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Texas Tech University. Kanaly is replacing Jay Chase, who is deceased, and will serve through August 2015.

Karen Waddell of Edmond is the president of the Lynn Institute for Healthcare Research. She also serves as the president of two other companies, the Lynn Health Science Institute, a clinical trials organization and Karen Vinyard Waddell and Associates, a company that specializes in training programs for at-risk children and their families. She previously worked as president of Eckerd Youth Alternatives, a behavioral health and child welfare services center. Waddell also served as the assistant vice president of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.  She is replacing Richard DeVaughn and will serve through August 2021.