Governor-elect Sherrill nominates Dr. Stephen Cha to lead New Jersey Department of Human Services
TRENTON, N.J. — Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill on Tuesday announced Dr. Stephen Cha as her nominee to serve as commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services, tapping a nationally recognized health care leader with experience across federal government and the private sector.
Cha most recently served as a counselor to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under former Secretary Xavier Becerra, where his portfolio included major federal agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health. His background includes work on Medicaid policy, maternal health and national crisis response, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Department of Human Services supports so many New Jerseyans, including children and seniors, with food aid and healthcare. We need an experienced and proven leader at the helm,” Sherrill said. “That is why I’m excited to announce Dr. Stephen Cha as my nominee for Department of Human Services Commissioner. As we prepare for devastating impact of Trump’s HR1 on Medicaid and SNAP eligibility, Dr. Cha brings the experience and expertise we need to protect New Jerseyans and deliver for our state.”
Cha said he is honored by the nomination and emphasized his commitment to serving vulnerable residents as federal policy changes loom.
“I am grateful to Governor-elect Sherrill for this opportunity to serve the people of New Jersey and lead the Department of Human Services,” Cha said. “Like the Governor-elect, I share a deep commitment to supporting people who are struggling to get by. As we face extraordinary challenges coming from the federal government, the Sherrill-Caldwell administration is committed to delivering effective services to our neighbors, whether that is through NJ FamilyCare, food assistance, or support for our elderly and people with disabilities. I’m excited to get to work with the team at DHS and hit the ground running on these priorities.”
Becerra praised the nomination, citing Cha’s experience managing complex public health challenges.
“Gov.-elect Sherrill and New Jersey families will be supremely served by Dr. Stephen Cha to direct the state’s Department of Human Services,” Becerra said. “Dr. Cha is a proven leader who has taken on some of our nation’s toughest challenges — the COVID pandemic, an infant formula shortage, the maternal health crisis. He understands that leadership demands courage, candor, and team effort. In these critical times in the fight for healthcare affordability and Medicaid coverage, Gov.-elect Sherrill will have a battle-tested partner at her side. Congratulations, Dr Cha.”
Cha brings decades of experience in public health policy and health care finance. While at HHS, he coordinated responses to major national crises, including Operation Fly Formula during the infant formula shortage, and worked across agencies on issues such as cannabis policy and maternal health.
Before his federal service, Cha was chief medical officer for UnitedHealthcare Community & State, overseeing care for roughly 6 million Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program members across 29 states and the District of Columbia. He also spent about 12 years at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, where he led state innovation efforts and served as the first chief medical officer for the Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services.
Earlier in his career, Cha served on Capitol Hill as senior professional staff to the House committees on Energy and Commerce and Oversight and Government Reform under then-Chairman Henry A. Waxman. Until the COVID-19 pandemic, he also worked part time for more than a decade as a primary care physician in a homeless shelter in Washington, D.C.
Cha holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a medical degree from Brown University, as well as a master’s degree in health services research from Yale University. His nomination is subject to confirmation by the New Jersey Senate.
