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With the timing of a sudden leadership shakeup already in question, the Minnesota Department of Human Services disclosed Tuesday that its newly named leader will be out on medical leave for the next month.

On Monday, Gov. Tim Walz appointed John Connolly as temporary commissioner. He replaced Shireen Gandhi, who was shifted back to a deputy commissioner assignment just before she was to take part in a Senate confirmation hearing.

The agency has been contending with cases of fraud in public benefit programs and freezes of federal Medicaid funding by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

In a memo Monday that went out upon his selection, Connolly told agency staff that he is undergoing treatment for colon cancer. While he’s out, his leadership role will be filled by Gandhi and another deputy commissioner, Andrew Johnson.

“Shireen and Andrew will be leading the agency day-to-day until I return,” Connolly wrote.

DHS shared the memo and a statement when MPR News inquired about an interview with Connolly about his new role. He is expected to return to the office in early June.

"John is grateful for detection following a routine colonoscopy and urges everyone, where eligible, to be screened regularly and not wait – recommended, regular screening saves lives," an agency statement on Tuesday read.

Connolly, who previously was a deputy commissioner, is keeping his title as state Medicaid director.

“I accept this position as a committed public servant, with continuity of operations at the forefront, to ensure our Medicaid programs are of the highest quality and public funding is aggressively protected and effectively overseen,” Connolly said in his internal memo. “My priority is to continue transforming a human services system Minnesotans can trust, where program integrity and service impact goes hand in hand.”

Republicans criticized the timing of the change at the top when it was announced Monday afternoon.

“Minnesotans were told Shireen Gandhi’s leadership would bring reform to DHS, yet now she is being shuffled to a different position so that Senate Democrats can avoid a confirmation hearing,” Sen. Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls, said in a statement shortly after the leadership change. 

“Shireen has been instrumental to the administration’s work to root out fraud. We’re grateful that she will continue to be a critical member of our team as we work to protect taxpayers from fraudsters — as well as a federal government set on harming Minnesotans,” a statement from the governor’s office said. 

Walz’s office didn’t address Connolly’s health status and how it factored into the recent moves.

The confirmation hearing that Gandhi was supposed to be part of was canceled after Connolly’s appointment was announced.

Democrats, who have the Senate majority, said they would continue to press DHS for answers on how many millions of dollars have been misused by providers and other beneficiaries.  Several of those providers have been charged, and some convicted, for fraud.

“Our members have had tough questions for DHS leadership about fighting fraud and protecting the people who need services, and that will continue,” Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, said in a statement Monday.

MPR News producer Benjamin Revier contributed to this story

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An abrupt change atop the Department of Human Services had raised questions prior to the disclosure that a new agency leader is out on medical leave.

New Human Services commissioner out on medical leave with timing of pick under scrutiny

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