Governor appoints new state health director

Virginia "Ginny" Pressler was appointed on Friday by Gov. David Ige as director of the state Department of Health.

"Ginny has more than 35 years of experience in the medical field and has held administrative positions for more than two decades," Ige said. "A well-respected member of Hawaii’s medical and business communities, Ginny’s wealth of knowledge and experience equips her to lead the Department of Health."

Pressler was previously at the health department from 1999-2002, serving as deputy director for Health Resources Administration. She played a key role in  obtaining 60 percent of the $1.3 billion tobacco settlement fund for public health purposes and initiated the Tobacco Trust Fund, Healthy Hawaii Initiative, Hawaii Outcomes Institute and Hawaii Uninsured Project, according to a press release.

Pressler now serves as executive vice president and chief strategic officer at Hawaii Pacific Health.