Mia Tyler

Insurance Commissioner of Maryland a little over two years announced his resignation to take a position with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Ralph S. Tyler, the state regulator of insurance level since September 2007, said today (16 December) that it will accept an appointment as senior advisor to the FDA.

Tyler's resignation is effective January 8, 2010, when the governor's office will appoint his successor.

Shaun Adamec, a spokesman for Governor Martin O'Malley's office said IFAwebnews.com that "no timetable" to name a successor to Tyler and the Board will conduct research and make an announcement at a later date. If, Adamec says no one is selected by January 8 next year, the Governor appoints a Commissioner of the temporary insurance.

Tyler, 62, said that the possibility IFAwebnews.com new with the FDA allows him "to return to being a lawyer," referring to his time before joining the Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) based as Baltimore City Solicitor and Chief Legal Counsel for the O'Malley administration.

"There was in the past and there will be some difficulties in the field of public health, where the FDA plays an important role," he said.
Login Baltimore

It was, in fact, their relationship as a former city attorney who led the office of the FDA, said Tyler.

In June, President Barack Obama has appointed Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, health commissioner of Baltimore, as FDA Commissioner Deputy Principal. Tyler said Sharfstein recently asked him if he was interested in joining the FDA as a senior consultant and resident of Baltimore has accepted, ready to report to the FDA White Oak, Maryland, campus early next year.

"I enjoy my time as Insurance Commissioner and I am very aware of the importance of the work here in the protection of consumers," said Tyler. "We have made progress in important areas time here and I credit staff to MIA for that. "

Tyler said he believes that the MIA has strengthened the activities of consumer protection for credit, complaints, review of rates and other areas, "the work of an insurance commissioner, said he .

His only regret, however, is to leave before the challenge of state regulation in others dealing with the impact of the pending reform of the federal health.

"There are a number of issues to be addressed and it will be very important for states in the face of such a rational manner," he said. "I really enjoyed it."
succession plan

Tyler said between now and his departure in January, he will work with the governor's office to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership at the MIA. He deferred comment on who should succeed him in the governor's office.

Tyler and MIA recently promoted Karen Stakem Hornig Associate Commissioner of the Deputy Commissioner, as well as Beth Sammis, who was appointed to this role shortly after Tyler came to the agency.

The commissioner recently said it should be IFAwebnews.com Sammis who succeed him if he would be unable to perform his duties or leaves office, as outlined in state law. The governor's office, however, said "two deputies and others could possibly be considered," according to a press assistant.