A second high-ranking member of Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services received a separation agreement on the way out the door earlier this year in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sarah Esty, who served as senior deputy director for policy and planning administration for MDHHS, left the department in January after about two years of employment, according to her LinkedIn account.
As part of her departure, she signed a separation agreement, according to a spokesperson for the department. MLive has asked for a copy of the agreement, but had not yet received it or any other details. It is unclear if there is a financial incentive attached to the separation agreement.
Esty was at least the second member of the state health department to receive such an agreement, joining former director Robert Gordon, who last week signed an agreement to be paid nine months pay and health insurance — or $155,506 — following his abrupt resignation.
Gordon’s agreement included a confidentiality clause that bars him or state officials from sharing further details about his departure, “unless required by law.”
Related: Former Michigan health director given $155K severance pay after abrupt resignation
Gordon announced his resignation on Jan. 22, and his agreement says he left voluntarily. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer replaced him with his former deputy, Elizabeth Hertel.
Upon learning of Gordon’s separation agreement, some Republican legislators have called for Whitmer to revoke the “taxpayer-financed hush money” and for the state attorney general’s office to open an investigation into the payment and Gordon’s resignation.
In her role, Esty oversaw development of major policies include departmental opioids strategy, behavioral health system transformation and community-based health and social services continuums of care, according to her state bio.
She also led work around improving health information technology and data interoperability; reducing health disparities; regulatory oversight for major health procedures, equipment, and facility construction; and workforce planning and supports.
Her 2020 salary was 151,620, according to a database of government officials compiled by the Mackinac Center For Public Policy.
Esty’s executive staff bio has since been removed from the MDHHS website. According to her LinkedIn page, she is now a lecturer at the University of Michigan Law School.
Attempts by MLive to contact Esty were not immediately successful Tuesday afternoon, March 2.
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