Liz Dudek is resigning as secretary of Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration after five years on the job, the governor’s office announced Wednesday.
Dudek’s overall career in the Florida government has spanned more than 40 years, but she stepped into the role as AHCA secretary when Gov. Rick Scott took office in 2011. She’s been responsible for the division of the AHCA which covers Medicaid and Medicare in Florida.
Prior to serving as AHCA secretary, Dudek held many different jobs in state government. She worked as bureau chief of health facility compliance and also worked as assistant deputy secretary of managed care and health quality for AHCA.
She was reconfirmed to her position as secretary earlier this year.
"I'm a lifer, and I mean that in a really good sense," Dudek said earlier this year.
Gov. Scott had nothing but words of praise on the outgoing secretary, commending her for a job well done in her time as secretary.
“Liz Dudek has been a part of my team since my first year in office and has spent over four decades serving Florida families,” he said. “She cares deeply about making our state the best place for families. Under her leadership, we have worked to make hospitals more transparent and accomplished historic Medicaid reform.”
Dudek’s name became more common in 2015, when the Florida Legislature reached a stalemate over Medicaid funding which ultimately resulted in lawmakers heading into a special session.
She was later named co-chairman of the Commission on Health Care and Hospital Funding.
The governor praised Dudek for her work to expand healthcare for children. Dudek supported a proposal to eliminate a five-year waiting period for lawfully residing immigrant children to receive KidCare coverage last year.
Scott also referred to legislation passed which imposes penalties on hospitals who price gouge patients.
“She helped champion quality health services for children in our state and worked hard on our Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding where she fought to protect patients from being price gouged at hospitals,” he said. “She has done an outstanding job making sure all Floridians have the opportunity to lead a healthy and safe life and I wish her the best in her retirement.”
Dudek will officially end her term Oct. 3. Deputy Secretary of the Division of Medicaid Justin Senior will serve as Interim Secretary following her departure. Senior has been with the agency since 2007.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
