Allen Announces New Responsibilities for Two OHA Leaders

SALEM, Oregon, March 27 -- The Oregon Health Authority issued the following news release:

Oregon Health Authority Director Patrick Allen has made two changes to the OHA leadership team. Kristine Kautz will become deputy director and Dawn Jagger will become chief of staff.

"As deputy director, Kris will represent the agency in inter-agency processes, planning, and discussions," Allen said. "In addition, she will continue to oversee the functions and operations she has been responsible for as chief operating officer. In her short time at OHA, Kris has proven that she has the skills and expertise we need in this role."

Kautz came to OHA from the Oregon Department of Revenue, where she served as deputy director. She is a long-time senior executive in state government, having worked at five state agencies prior to OHA, including the Department of Administrative Services.

Jagger previously served as interim External Relations Divisions director at OHA since September.

"Her leadership has been integral to our efforts to rebuild trust with legislators and health system partners," Allen said. "As chief of staff, she'll continue to foster greater transparency, align work across OHA to advance our health transformation goals, and provide strategic counsel to me and the OHA leadership team. In addition, she will continue to lead the external relations teams."

Jagger came to OHA from the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS), where she was senior health policy and communications adviser. She has previously worked as a federal policy liaison for the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace, an enforcement officer in the Insurance Division at DCBS, a judicial law clerk for Lane County Circuit Court Judge Karsten H. Rasmussen.