Press Release

HHS Announces Paula M. Stannard as Director of the Office for Civil Rights

Issued by Office for Civil Rights [OCR], U.S. Department of Health & Human Services [HHS}

June 4, 2025

Director Paula Stannard is appointed to enforce the nation’s civil rights laws and advance compliance with health information privacy and security authorities

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), Office for Civil Rights (“OCR”) announces the appointment of Paula M. Stannard as Director of the Office for Civil Rights. In this role, Director Stannard is the Department’s chief officer and adviser to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. concerning the implementation, compliance, and enforcement of Federal health information privacy, security, and breach notification rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) as well as Federal civil rights, conscience, and religious freedom laws in HHS’ jurisdiction. 

“I'm proud to welcome Paula back to HHS,” said Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “She’s a proven public servant who delivered results during her time at HHS under both President Trump and President George W. Bush. Paula brings deep institutional knowledge, relentless focus, and an unwavering commitment to civil rights. Under her leadership, the Office for Civil Rights will drive forward President Trump’s bold civil rights agenda with clarity, energy, and purpose.”

Most recently, Director Stannard served as Chief Legal Counsel of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services where she led the Office of Legal Affairs. In this capacity, she advised and represented the state agency and its components on a wide range of significant legal issues pertaining to the laws the agency is responsible for implementing and the programs it operates. Director Stannard’s previous Federal service includes her role as a Senior Counselor and Advisor to former HHS Secretary Tom Price and Secretary Alex Azar during the first Trump Administration and serving as Acting General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel during the George W. Bush Administration. Her public service is complimented by over 16 years of legal experience in private practice: six years as counsel in the Health Care Practice Group at Alston and Bird, LLP in Washington, D.C., and 10 years as a litigation associate at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom in Chicago.

“I am excited and honored to lead the Office for Civil Rights at HHS under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Kennedy,” said OCR Director Paula Stannard. “I look forward to advancing the significant and highly visible priorities of OCR and protecting the civil rights of Americans who participate in the programs or organizations that HHS operates and funds.” 

Paula is a graduate of Amherst College and Stanford Law School. Outside of work, Paula enjoys walking and hiking, reading, knitting, and crocheting.

About OCR:  OCR is uniquely charged with enforcing the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules, Federal civil rights laws, and conscience and religious freedom laws. OCR promotes and enforces laws that protect our nation’s security by advancing health information privacy and regulating our nation’s health care systems’ cybersecurity. Additionally, OCR administers and enforces laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and religion in some of the most critical programs across the nation – those related to health and social services. OCR accomplishes its mission through enforcement, rulemaking, guidance, technical assistance, training, education, and outreach.

If you believe that your or another person’s health information privacy or civil rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with OCR at https://www.hhs.gov/ocr/complaints/index.html.

Follow HHS OCR on X (formerly Twitter) at @HHSOCR.

Editor's note: This press release has been issued by the company named above, not BenefitsLink. Reliance on information in this press release might be prudent only after an independent review of its accuracy, completeness, efficacy, and timeliness. Reference to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by BenefitsLink.