Jan Malcolm

Jan Malcolm
10th Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health
In office
19 January 1999 – 2003
GovernorJesse Ventura
Preceded byAnne Barry
Succeeded byDianne Mandernach
16th Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health
In office
31 January 2018 – January 2023
GovernorMark Dayton
Tim Walz
Preceded byEd Ehlinger
Succeeded byBrooke Cunningham
Personal details
SpouseKris Carlton
EducationDartmouth College
OccupationPsychologist

Jan Malcolm is a former Health Commissioner of Minnesota. She has served twice as the Commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Health under three different governors; first from 1999 to 2003 under former governor Jesse Ventura, and secondly from 2018 to 2023 under Mark Dayton and Tim Walz.

Early life

Malcolm graduated from Minnetonka High School in Minnesota in 1973. She attended Dartmouth College, earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and psychology.

Career

Malcolm served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Minnesota at the School of Public Health, as well as working as the CEO of Courage Center and the Vice President of Public Affairs and Philanthropy at Allina Health.

Most notably, Malcolm served as Health Commissioner under three different governors of Minnesota. Malcolm began her first term as Commissioner under Jesse Ventura. She served from 1999-2003 Nearly twenty years later, she was appointed by Mark Dayton after her predecessor, Ed Ehlinger, resigned. She was put in charge over 1,500 employees and a budget of over $600 million. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, she faced intense criticism from the Republican party, facing repeated calls to remove her from her position.

In 2024, the American Medical Association honored her with the AMA Award for Outstanding Government Service.

Personal life

Malcolm was married to Kris Carlton, who died in 2019. She remains close friends with her high school classmate Ann Reed, notable folk singer and songwriter.

In June 2021, Malcolm was awarded the Lavender Community Pride Award for LGBTQ Individual.

Notable works

References

  1. ↑ "Information on Minnesota State Agencies, Boards, Task Forces, and Commissions". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  2. ↑ Tribune, Chris Serres Star. "New Commissioner Jan Malcolm brings 'instant credibility' to Minnesota Health Department". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
  3. ↑ "Meet the woman Gov. Mark Dayton hired to fix Minnesota's health department". Twin Cities. 2018-01-30. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Tribune, Briana Bierschbach Star. "At the head of state Health Department, Jan Malcolm is 'Minnesota's Dr. Fauci'". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  5. 1 2 3 "Gov. Walz defends his health commissioner". kare11.com. October 26, 2021. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  6. 1 2 "Commissioner Jan Malcolm". www.health.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  7. ↑ "With job on the line, Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm to meet with top Republican on Friday". Twin Cities. 2021-11-19. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
  8. ↑ "Jan Malcolm". United Theraputics. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
  9. ↑ "Obituary for Kris Carlton". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  10. ↑ "Award Honorees: Jan Malcolm '73". Minnetonka Alumni Association. Retrieved 2026-06-06.
  11. ↑ Tarala, Kassidy (2021-06-17). "Lavender Community Pride Award for LGBTQ Individual: Jan Malcolm - Serving All People | Lavender Magazine". Retrieved 2021-12-09.
  12. ↑ "Jan Malcolm". www.amazon.com. Retrieved 2021-10-28.