Marcia Nielsen, assistant vice chancellor for health policy at Kansas University Medical Center, on Tuesday was named executive director of the Kansas Health Policy Authority Board.

She had been chair of the authority’s governing board since November.

The authority assumes oversight of the state’s Medicaid, HealthWave and state employees’ health insurance programs July 1.

Nielsen, 40, has a doctorate in health policy from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

She and her husband and their twin 4-year-old daughters live in Prairie Village. She said they plan to move to Lawrence.

Nielsen replaced Bob Day, who retired Friday.

The position’s annual salary: $135,000.

“This is my passion – that we have a health care system that works for everyone,” Nielsen said.

Her appointment is subject to confirmation by the Kansas Senate.