Gerard leaving Department of Health Services

After three years on the job, Susan Gerard is resigning as director of the Arizona Department of Health Services. Gov. Janet Napolitano's office announced the decision today.

"I think this is the right time for me to move on," said Gerard in a statement. "I'd like to thank Governor Napolitano for giving me the opportunity to work at my dream job for the last three years."

Gerard served as a Republican state representative and senator from LD18 before being appointed to the DHS directorship in 2005 by Napolitano. At that post, Gerard spearheaded enforcement of the Smoke Free Arizona Act and was credited with increasing the agency's access and transparency.

According to the statement, Gerard has no plans at the moment. "I’ve got a busy month to tie up some loose ends and prepare for a smooth transition. Then I think I’ll hit the beach," she is quoted as saying.

Her vacany will be filled by January Contreras, the governor's health policy advisor, who has previously served as an assistant Arizona attorney general and deputy director of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, where she handled intergovernmental relations.