By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri's health director is stepping down. Julie Eckstein has been director of the Department of Health and Senior Services since shortly after Matt Blunt took office as Governor, nearly two years ago.
There's no word on who will replace Eckstein, or when. It also was unclear Monday exactly when Eckstein would depart.
A spokeswoman for Blunt said Eckstein was not asked to resign. Eckstein did not immediately return a call Monday seeking comment.
"Julie Eckstein logged significant progress as our state's health leader. She renewed Missouri's focus on healthy living and good community health planning and has helped better prepare our state for a pandemic threat," Blunt said in a written statement.
Before joining Blunt's administration, Eckstein was president and owner of St. Charles-based Community Calenders.net, a business she established in 2000 that provides online information about community events in the St. Louis area and beyond.
Eckstein also had served for five years as executive director of the Healthy Communities St. Charles program. The coalition of private businesses, public organizations and individuals sponsors local health care initiatives.