Sharon G. Howard

Sharon G Howard retired on July 29,2011 as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Department of Health and Hospitals Office of Public Health (OPH) . Mrs Howard was appointed Assistant Secretary for OPH in 2002 by Governor Murphy J. ( Mike) Foster and appointed again in 2004 by Governor Kathleen Blanco.

Mrs Howard began her service in state government in 1970. She began employment with OPH in 1988 in the Policy Planning and Evaluation Section as a Health Planner before managing the Child Health and Maternity Program. In the Maternal and Child Health Section. She left OPH in 1992 to work as the Louisiana KIDMED Outreach Manager and Provider Relations Manager. When Mrs. Howard returned to OPH in 1994, she served as the State Director of the Family Planning Program until August 1999 and as the Division Director for the Division of Health Services between August 1999 and her appointment as Assistant Secretary for OPH. Her experience also includes employment as a Social Worker with the Orleans Parish School Board and the Office of Family Support.

Mrs. Howard received a B.A. in Sociology from Loyola University and a MSW in Health/Mental Health 1987 from Southern University School of Social Work.