Governor Kevin Stitt is asking retired Real Admiral Gregory Slavonic to step in as Interim Mental Health Commissioner while he searched for a permanent appointment. The governor’s appointment was necessary after the Oklahoma Legislature terminated Allie Friesen as Commissioner.
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) has been under increased scrutiny due to financial mismanagement.
“It is no secret that the Department of Mental Health has long been in need of reform,” said Stitt. “It is imperative that Admiral Slavonic is allowed to do the hard work needed to remove corruption and conflicts of interest without political interference. There are brighter days ahead for this department and those that rely on its services. I’m grateful to Admiral Slavonic for his willingness to set another Oklahoma agency on the right course.”
Slavonic should be a familiar name to those who follow the Stitt Administration. He served as the director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs from March 2023 until he stepped down in July 2024.
“I’m grateful that Governor Stitt is so keenly focused on rooting out corruption and ensuring that government is working first and foremost for the citizens we are tasked with serving,” said Slavonic. “The Department of Mental Health brings much needed services to many Oklahomans, and I look forward to ensuring that they have the tools needed to provide those services. I thank Governor Stitt for trusting me with this effort.”
House Select Committee to Review Mental Health Finances Representative Mark Lawson issued a statement after Stitt announced Slavonic’s appointment. Lawson feels the next leader of ODMHSAS should be ready to take on a major task of setting the agency back on track.
“It is imperative that the next director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services work to restore stability, confidence and trust in the agency and its ability to provide critical services to Oklahomans while being good stewards of taxpayer dollars. By all accounts, Admiral Slavonic has served his country and state well and I look forward to working with him as he endeavors to right the ship with this agency.”
