Loretta Fuddy, 65, became acting health director in January 2011, after Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s first nominee, Dr. Neal Palafox, withdrew his name at the governor’s request.
Just after being appointed and confirmed as the permanent health director, Fuddy made news in April 2011 when she verified the authenticity of certified copies of President Barack Obama’s birth certificate proving that he had in fact been born in Hawaii. Obama had requested the release to end years of so-called birthers’ claims that he was born in Kenya and not eligible to be president.
In 2012, Fuddy split with Abercrombie over the legalization of same-sex marriage. Abercrombie said he felt civil unions were unconstitutional and refused to defend the law in a federal court challenge. Fuddy said the Health Department was legally obligated to defend civil unions.
"The Department of Health is charged with implementing the law as passed by the Legislature. Absent any ruling to the contrary by competent judicial authority regarding constitutionality, the law will be enforced," Fuddy said in a statement at he time.
In an unusual move, the attorney general assigned two groups of lawyers to argue both positions in federal court.
On Aug. 8, 2012, U.S. District Judge Alan Kay threw out the challenge to Hawaii’s laws banning same-sex marriage. The state Legislature legalized same-sex marriage last month.
Under Fuddy’s leadership, Hawaii was just named the healthiest state in America, according to the United Health Foundation, which measured a range of health categories. Hawaii’s No. 1 ranking this year was an improvement from ranking second in 2012 and third in 2011.
"Marking steady improvement over the last three years, Hawaii’s No. 1 ranking is encouraging and reminds us how fortunate we are to live in the Aloha State," Fuddy said in a statement released just Wednesday morning.
Fuddy had more than 30 years of experience in the field of health and human services. She was named deputy director of health in 2001.
Before serving as the acting director, Fuddy served as chief of the state Family Health Services Division. She held degrees in sociology, social work and public health from the University of Hawaii and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Public Health.
According to the state Health Department website, Fuddy was raised in Kaimuki and graduated from Sacred Hearts Academy. Her hobbies included singing in the choir at Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa.
Her mother, Marjorie Fuddy, lived in Kamiloloa, Molokai, and died in 1997.
Fuddy served as the chairwoman of the Hawaii Public Health Association, president of the Association of State and Territorial Public Health Social Workers, treasurer and secretary of the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, and on the Policy Committee of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers.
She received numerous awards during her career, including the Hawaii Outstanding Advocate for Children and Youth, the Department of Health Sustained Superior and Exemplary Performance Award and the National Association of Social Workers Hawaii Chapter Lifetime Achievement Award.
