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State Health Commissioner Announces Resignation

The Indiana state health commissioner is resigning for what he says is strictly personal reasons.

Dr. William VanNess has been commissioner at the state health department for over a year and a half, after being appointed by Governor Pence last January.

VanNess said, in a statement, that he plans to leave the department in October.

"It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve the great citizens of Indiana in my role as State Health Commissioner over the past year and a half," he said in the statement.

State department of health officials declined to comment further.

VanNess previously served as president and CEO of Community Hospital of Anderson and Madison County from 1997-2013.

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