Minnesota Agencies

The statutory mission of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is to protect, maintain, and improve the health of all Minnesotans. MDH is the state's lead public health agency, responsible for operating programs that prevent infectious and chronic diseases and promote clean water, safe food, quality health care, and healthy living. The department also plays a significant role in making sure that Minnesota is ready to effectively respond to serious emergencies, such as natural disasters, emerging disease threats, and terrorism. The department carries out its mission in close partnership with local public health departments, tribal governments, the federal government, foreign countries, and many health-related organizations.

During the mid-to-late nineteenth century, Minnesota faced public health issues such as poor sanitation and disease epidemics. To address these issues, Minnesota established a state board of health in 1872. It was the third such board in the United States.

The state board of health was abolished in 1977 (see Laws of Minnesota 1977, Chap. 305 Sec. 39) and all powers and duties of the board were transferred to the commissioner of health.

That same legislation created a health advisory council. In 1983 the Health Advisory Council was renamed the State Health Advisory Task Force (1983 Laws, Chap. 260 Sec. 30).

The Minnesota Department of Health hired Elisabeth Emerson to write a history of public health in Minnesota during the mid- to late-20th century: "Public Health is People: History of the Minnesota Department of Health from 1949 to 1999."

In November 2017, the Star Tribune ran a 5-part series of articles that brought to light the high number of elder abuse allegations being reported to the Department of Health in MN and a breakdown in the agency's handling of the cases. In part, due to controversy over the state's mishandling of allegations of criminal abuse in senior care facilities, Dr. Edward Ehlinger resigned December 19, 2017 as Minnesota's commissioner of health. 

In one of the Star Tribune's articles they noted: "In an unusual move, Dayton also gave the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) sweeping new powers over the agency responsible for investigating abuse and neglect in senior care homes. The much-larger Department of Human Services will have the authority to direct Health Department staff, make personnel decisions and implement changes to the agency's work and investigative process, according to a far-reaching agreement reached Tuesday between the two agencies."

In 2023 the Legislature created the Department of Children, Youth, and Families as a new cabinet-level agency. The Human Services, Education, Health and Public Safety departments will transfer responsibilities that would fall under the jurisdiction of the new department, along with relevant staff and unexpended appropriations, between July 2024 and July 2025.

Commissioner term, 4 years or pleasure of governor.

Commissioner history: Dr. Robert Barr, 1949-1970
Dr. Warren Lawson, 1971-1978
Dr. George Peterson, 1979-1982
Sister Mary Madonna, 1983-1990
Daniel McInerney (acting), 1991
John McCally, February, 1991- March, 1991
Mary Jo O'Brien (acting), 1991
Marlene Marschall, 1991-1993
Mary Jo O'Brien, 1993-1995
Anne Barry, 1995-1999
Jan Malcolm, January 19, 1999-2003
Aggie Leitheiser (acting), 2003
Dianne Mandernach, February 3, 2003-October 2007
Dr. Sanne Magnan, November 1, 2007- 2011
Dr. Ed Ehlinger, January 2011-December 19, 2017
Dan Pollock (acting), December 20, 2017-January 30, 2018
Jan Malcolm, January 31, 2018-January 2023
Dr. Brooke Cunningham, January 2023 -