NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – New Mexico's secretary for the Department of Health is stepping down. Patrick Allen served as secretary since 2023 and ran the state's public health system, including programs and 52 local public health offices. Allen was appointed to the position by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham at the end of 2022. City of Albuquerque using thousands of taxpayer dollars to trap, kill pigeons Gina Deblassie, the governor's health policy advisor, will serve as interim cabinet secretary.