Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm Announces Retirement

November 17, 2022

On November 16, Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm announced that she will retire from her position.  

She has served as health commissioner under three governors. Her first stint, 1999 to 2003, in the Jesse Ventura administration. Gov. Mark Dayton tapped her for health commissioner in 2018, where she stayed until presently.  

Malcolm was among four commissioners who indicated that they would not continue during Gov. Walz’s second term.  

In a statement, MMA President Will Nicholson, MD, said: “The MMA thanks Commissioner Jan Malcolm for her many years of service and excellent leadership of the Minnesota Department of Health. Throughout her career, she has steadfastly focused on protecting public health and defining good public health policy. Her steady, transparent, and science-driven guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic has helped Minnesotans fare better than most other states. We wish her the best in her retirement.” 

Latest News

Senate Convenes Working Group to Discuss Firearm Violence

September 18, 2025

A Minnesota Senate gun violence prevention working group convened twice this week to discuss policy solutions to address public safety, following recent instances of firearm violence in Minnesota.  

Board Amends MMA Policy on Firearm Safety

September 18, 2025

The MMA Board of Trustees voted at its September 15 meeting to amend MMA policy on firearm safety, in an effort to address current gaps and simplify existing policy. 

MMA Comments on Proposed 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

September 18, 2025

On September 12, the MMA submitted a formal comment to the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the proposed rule for the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS).