HHS picks a new chief spokeswoman

The state Department of Health and Human Services has picked a new public affairs director.

Renee McCoy, a 25-year television news veteran, will become the department's chief spokeswoman. McCoy worked at WRAL and as a freelance reporter and anchor at NBC-17 and UNC-TV. McCoy started a Raleigh-based media consulting company in 1999.

McCoy worked as Director of Public Relations for the N.C. Department of Correction in 1986, during the administration of Gov. Jim Martin.

The public affairs post at Health and Human Services has been a high-profile one since February 2008 when a News & Observer series uncovered the massive failure in the state's attempts to reform the mental health system.

In the aftermath of the series, Gov. Mike Easley had then-public affairs director Debbie Crane fired. Crane's replacement, Tom Lawrence, has had to cope with frequent revelations about patient abuse or neglect at state institutions.

The department has adopted an agency-wide focus on enhancing trust and confidence in the Department, as well as a Zero Tolerance Policy in his approach to implementing changes at DHHS facilities across the state.

Update: McCoy will make $89,900 a year, according to the department. She started on Monday.