By I. Edwards HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
\n<\/b><\/p>\n
THURSDAY, July 17, 2025 (HealthDay News) \u2014 U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr<\/a>. has removed two senior officials who were appointed by President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n Heather Flick Melanson, chief of staff, and Hannah Anderson, a top policy adviser, were both let go recently. The decision came as a surprise to several federal health officials.<\/p>\n Both women had worked in Kennedy\u2019s office with two other aides \u2014 senior counselor Stefanie Spear<\/a> and executive secretary Cortney McCormick<\/a>. Spear is a longtime Kennedy aide.<\/p>\n Sources told CBS News<\/em> that Anderson and Flick Melanson were seen as loyal to the Trump<\/a> White House. They were reportedly placed in the department to make sure the president\u2019s agenda was being followed.<\/p>\n “The White House pretty much parachuted Heather in there to tether RFK and Stefanie a bit,” one health official said.<\/p>\n Anderson was praised by a Trump ally who told CBS News<\/em> she was \u201ca person of impeccable integrity\u201d and \u201cloved working for President Trump.\u201d<\/p>\n HHS has named Matt Buckham<\/a> acting chief of staff, a department spokesperson confirmed. Buckham previously served as the department\u2019s liaison to the White House and helped political appointees get oriented.<\/p>\n “Secretary Kennedy thanks the outgoing leadership for their service and looks forward to working closely with Mr. Buckham as the Department continues advancing its mission to Make America Healthy Again,” the spokesperson said in a statement.<\/p>\n No reason was given for the firings, CBS News <\/em>stated.<\/p>\n More information<\/strong><\/p>\n Learn more about the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services<\/a>.<\/p>\n