Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) Director Janet Olszewski has named Kurt Krause Chief Deputy Director for MDCH, which was effective Monday, Jan. 19.

Before his current position, Krause served as interim director of the MDCH's Office of Legal Affairs. He joined MDCH as assistant director of the Office of Legal Affairs in 2004.

"Mr. Krause is a proven leader," Olszewski said. "He will bring vast knowledge, extensive experience, and great enthusiasm to his new role within the department. Mr. Krause's legal expertise and overall awareness and knowledge of health related issues will be a tremendous asset."

The chief deputy director is responsible for directing the activities of all employees and programs within the department. The chief deputy director is also responsible for assisting the director in the formulation and implementation of policies and programs that are critical to the mission of the department.

Prior to joining the MDCH, Krause, 46, served in the Michigan Department of Attorney General from 1997-2004. As an assistant attorney general, he worked in the Finance and Development Division, Health Professionals Division, and the Health Care Fraud Division, representing the state in numerous civil, criminal, and administrative matters.

Before joining state government, Krause was a staff attorney and then assistant general counsel in the Office of the General Counsel at Michigan State University. He also has served as an adjunct professor at the Michigan State University College of Law.

Born and raised in the Lansing-area, Krause received his Juris Doctor in 1988 from DePaul University College of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University. He is currently a member of the board of directors for the Michigan Quality Care Community Council and is a past member of the board of directors for Legal Services of South Central Michigan, Inc. He and his wife, Amy Krause, reside in Lansing.