Michigan Health Director Robert Gordon announces resignation

Robert Gordon, the director of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, abruptly resigned on Friday.

“Today, I’m resigning from the Whitmer administration,” Gordon tweeted at 2:52 pm Friday. “It is an honor to serve alongside wonderful colleagues. I look forward to the next chapter. “

UPDATE: Elizabeth Hertel appointed Michigan’s new health director, Gov. Whitmer announces

Gordon and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, were the faces of MDHHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gordon has always been present at Whitmer’s briefings and, more recently, participated in a virtual update on Tuesday.

Most notably, Gordon helped make recent announcements about MDHHS restrictions designed to slow the spread of COVID-19. The department issued a “pause” in mid-November, which has been extended and revised several times, including Friday morning.

Gordon remained aware of restrictions throughout his term, saying that COVID-19 is more likely to spread in environments such as restaurants, where people from different families gather indoors and remove their masks to eat.