OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Gov. Brad Henry named Richard L. DeVaughn, D.D.S., Enid, as the new chairman of the Oklahoma Commission for Human Services this week. The Commission oversees the state’s largest agency, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

DeVaughn, was appointed in November 2003 to a nine-year term on the Commission, which expires in August 2012. DeVaughn replaces Steve Bailey of New Castle as chairman, whose term on the commission ended in August.

“This leadership role carries a tremendous responsibility for Oklahoma’s public sector and I am both honored and humbled by this opportunity to serve. I will work closely with my fellow commissioners and the Department’s leadership to ensure that the positive progress made by our dedicated state employees, the commission, Director Howard Hendrick and the leadership of former Commission Chairman Steve Bailey in recent years continues,” DeVaughn said.

“We have several major roles on the Commission: one, to ensure that the organization is fiscally sound to carry out its mission; and two, to approve workable policies and procedures for the agency to deliver its mandated programs and services.”

DeVaughn and his wife, Judy, both received their undergraduate degrees from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater.

DeVaughn completed graduate studies in dentistry at the University of Missouri School of Dentistry in Kansas City. He has practiced family dentistry in Enid, Okla., since 1967.

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