Leadership

Updated January 8, 2024

Tracy S. Gruber, executive director

Tracy S. Gruber was named executive director of the Utah Department of Human Services in January 2021. Previous to her appointment by Governor Spencer J. Cox, she was director of the Office of Child Care at the Utah Department of Workforce Services (DWS) and senior advisor for the Intergenerational Poverty Initiative. In 2017, she was named as "Government Official of the Year" by Community Action Partnership of Utah. She served as the chair of the National Association of State Child Care Administrators and represents Utah on the Education Commission of the States.

Prior to her service with DWS, Gruber was the senior policy analyst and director of state fiscal policy at Voices for Utah Children. Gruber’s work experience also includes serving as an analyst in the Illinois Senate, overseeing a public employee retiree organization, and administering the Utah State Bar New Lawyer Training Program.

Gruber received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and her Law Degree from the Chicago-Kent School of Law.

Nate Checketts, deputy director for healthcare administration

Nathan Checketts, deputy director, Healthcare Administration

Nate Checketts most recently served as executive director of the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) and deputy director of the Utah Department of Human Services. He was a previous Utah Medicaid Director at the former UDOH and helped to design and implement Medicaid expansion in the state. He has previous experience as a deputy director at UDOH and as Utah’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) director. Additionally, Checketts has been the state’s COVID-19 testing coordinator since March of 2020. Prior to UDOH, Checketts gained experience as a budget analyst in the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget and a senior auditor for the California State Auditor’s Office. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree from BYU.

Dr. Michelle Hofmann, executive medical director for Clinical Services

Dr. Michelle Hofmann, executive medical director, Clinical Services

As deputy director and state health officer designee of the Utah Department of Health since February 2021, Michelle Hofmann, MD, MPH, MHCDS, is the state’s lead physician advisor for the COVID-19 response, with key responsibilities in the vaccination, school, testing, medical surge, and long-term care facility responses. She serves as the chief medical executive for a multi-year consolidation of the Utah Departments of Health and Human Services with a vision to advocate for, support, and serve all individuals and communities in Utah. Dr. Hofmann attended the University of Utah earning a Master’s Degree in Public Health before graduating from medical school at Albany Medical College. She practiced for 20 years as a pediatric hospitalist and physician leader in the two largest health systems in Utah. In February 2020, she graduated from the Dartmouth College Master of Healthcare Delivery Science Program, with emphasis in leadership, operations, strategy, population health, health economics, policy, and organizational change.

David Litvack, deputy director of Community Health & Well-Being

David Litvack, deputy director, Community Health & Well-Being

David Litvack began his service as deputy director for the Utah Department of Human Services in April 2021. He brings policy and programming experience from serving in various levels of government. He was director of the Criminal Justice Advisory Council (CJAC) in the Salt Lake County Mayor’s Office, and both deputy chief of staff and, most recently, senior policy advisor in the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office. Litvack also served in the Utah State House of Representatives from 2000 to 2012. He is a graduate of Westminster College and received a Master of Arts in Social Sciences from the University of Chicago.

Nathan Winters, deputy director of Operations

Nathan Winters, deputy director, Operations

Nate Winters was appointed deputy director of DHHS over operations with the merger of the Department of Health and the Department of Human Services in July 2022.  Prior to that he assisted with the merger of the two departments as an assistant deputy director. He was recently assistant division director for the Utah Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Juvenile Justice Services with a primary focus in finance, budget, and operations. Previously, Nate held roles as director of finance, compensation, and benefits for the Utah Department of Human Resource Management, and budget director for DHS. Nate holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA).

Heather R. Borski, assistant deputy director of Community Health & Well-Being

Heather R. Borski, assistant deputy director, Community Health & Well-Being

Heather Borski, MPH, MCHES, has worked for the Utah Department of Health for more than 25 years, and currently serves as a deputy director. Prior to serving as a deputy director, Heather directed the Division of Disease Control and Prevention from 2016-2020, directed the Bureau of Health Promotion from 2007-2016 and managed the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program from 2001-2007. Heather has an undergraduate degree in Health Education and a Masters of Public Health from the University of Utah. She is also a Master Certified Health Education Specialist, and is an alumna of both the Great Basin Public Health Leadership Institute and National Public Health Leadership Institute. Heather has served on several professional boards, including for the Utah Public Health Association (Board President, 2017-2018), Get Healthy Utah, National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, Directors of Health Promotion and Education (Board President, 2014-2015), Utah Partners for Healthy Weight, and Health Education Association of Utah (Board President, 2001-2002).

Tonya Hales, assistant deputy director of Healthcare Administration

Tonya Hales, assistant deputy director, Healthcare Administration

For the past 22 years, Tonya Hales held various leadership roles in Utah Medicaid and since 2016 served as an assistant Medicaid director with the Utah Department of Health. Throughout her career she has designed and implemented many long-term services and support programs for children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities, including Medicaid’s autism spectrum disorder services, the New Choices Waiver, and the Medically Complex Children’s Waiver. Additionally, Tonya is a registered nurse of 27 years who has utilized clinical expertise in her oversight of Medicaid’s healthcare coverage policy over the years.

Amanda Slater, assistant deputy director of Operations

Amanda Slater, assistant deputy director, Operations

Amanda Slater has worked at the Utah Department of Human Services (DHS) for more than 6 years. During her time with DHS she has had the privilege of working with agencies throughout DHS. Throughout her time with DHS she has worked to break down barriers to ensure that individuals receive the services necessary to safely thrive and succeed. Previously she has developed policy and contracts, managed budgets and served as the director of the Office of Licensing. Amanda has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Finance from Weber State University and is certified as a Quality Process Analyst.