Dr. Morgan McDonald has been named interim commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Health, effective June 3. 

McDonald replaces Dr. Lisa Piercey — the face of the state’s efforts during the COVID pandemic — who stepped down from her post as health commissioner, effective May 31, to join the private sector. 

Piercey steps down as state Health Department head

Locally, Piercey became part of the state’s very different outlook on the pandemic from the approach of the Shelby County Health Department.

Piercey enforced a controversial state view that pushed for less masking, fewer business closings and an early return to in-person learning for students in public schools, including Memphis-Shelby County Schools. 

McDonald has served as the state’s deputy commissioner for population health since 2018. 

She implemented the department’s strategic plan and directed oversight of prevention and safety-net services, including maternal and child health, chronic disease prevention, rural health and minority health, as well as much of the department’s data infrastructure. 

McDonald earned her undergraduate and medical degrees from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and completed her residency in internal medicine and pediatrics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

A fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Physicians, McDonald previously served the Tennessee Department of Health as assistant commissioner for Family, Health and Wellness.

“Dr. McDonald is a committed public servant, and I appreciate her continued leadership during this time of transition,” Gov. Bill Lee said in a prepared statement. “I am confident she will serve Tennesseans with integrity.”

Before joining the department, McDonald spent 10 years serving as a primary care clinician in safety-net clinics while holding educational leadership positions at the University of North Carolina and Vanderbilt University. 

She developed curricula for medical school and residency programs in the areas of interprofessional education, social determinants of health and the care of vulnerable populations. 

“Public health in our great state has a long history of providing resources and bringing people together to improve the health and prosperity of people in Tennessee, “ McDonald said. “I look forward to continuing and accelerating that work in partnership with communities across the state.”

McDonald will continue to lead the state health department until a permanent commissioner is named.