Senate confirms health department, HR nominees

The state Senate has confirmed Loretta Fuddy as director of the state Department of Health and Sunshine Topping as director of the state Department of Human Resources Development.

Fuddy has been acting director since Dr. Neal Palafox, Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s original choice for director, withdrew his nomination at Abercrombie’s request in January.

Fuddy, who is well-regarded in the health and social-services communities, was also chief of the department’s family health services division.

Topping has been a human resources manager, mostly in the high-technology sector.

Both of the governor’s nominees were approved unanimously by the Senate.