New Director Generals and Directors appointed to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

Veli-Mikko Niemi is the new Director of the International Affairs Unit.

Mr Niemi will take up his post on 8 January 2018. 

In 2014-2017, Niemi worked as Director General of the Department for Promotion of Welfare and Health at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. At present, Niemi is working as Director General reporting directly to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Mr Niemi worked as Director of Food Safety at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in 2007-2014, and before that as Deputy Director General, among his other duties. He has also worked as national expert at the European Commission in 1998-2000. Niemi holds the degree of Licentiate of Veterinary Medicine.

The International Affairs Unit (KVY) develops, plans and coordinates international affairs in the Ministry’s administrative sector.

http://stm.fi/en/international-affairs-unit-kvy

Liisa-Maria Voipio-Pulkki will head the Management Support Unit

Liisa-Maria Voipio-Pulkki will take up the duties as head of the Management Support Unit and replace the previous head of the unit Marja-Liisa Parjanne who will retire. Ms Voipio-Pulkki will take up the position on 1 February 2018.

Voipio-Pulkki worked as Director of the Unit for Health Services at the Department for Social and Health Services since 2010. On 1 September 2017, she took up the position of Director of the Department for Wellbeing and Services. Among her other duties, Voipio-Pulkki has also served as chief administrative physician at the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, being responsible for expert duties relating to the administration and development of healthcare and social welfare. Voipio-Pulkki holds the degree of Doctor of Medicine and Surgery.

The Management Support Unit (JOT) assists and supports the Permanent Secretary’s activities in the preparation of objectives for the Ministry and its administrative sector and in the development, implementation and monitoring of wide-ranging issues, such as strategy processes. The unit also supports the development of the Ministry’s activities and the coordination of the duties of the Ministry’s departments and units.

http://stm.fi/en/management-support-unit-jot-

Markku Tervahauta will head the Department for Wellbeing and Services

On Thursday, 4 January, the Finnish Government appointed Markku Tervahauta as Director General of the Department for Wellbeing and Services at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. Mr Tervahauta will take up the position on 1 February 2018. The appointment is for a fixed period until 30 September 2019.

Tervahauta has been responsible for duties relating to management of health and social services since 2009. He worked first as head of department of the City of Lahti, and since 2010 as service area director of the City of Kuopio. In 2005-2009 Tervahauta worked as chief executive of the Municipality of Leppävirta, in 2000-2005 as director of medical services in Leppävirta, and in 1998-200 as director of medical services in the City of Kiuruvesi. Tervahauta holds a Doctor of Medical Science degree.

The Department for Wellbeing and Services (HPO) promotes wellbeing and social inclusion, health and functional capacity and is responsible for the health and social services system, its development and legislation.

http://stm.fi/en/department-for-wellbeing-and-services-hpo-

A total of 15 persons applied for the post of Director General of the Department for Wellbeing and Services.

Inquiries

Jaana Koski, Director General for Administrative Affairs, tel. +358 2951 63519, firstname.lastname@stm.fi