Dr. Susan Smith will leave her post by noon on January 20 . Leavitt explained his move this way : `` The next phase of Transition involves the departure of our team on January 20 , and the arrival of President-elect Obama 's team later that day , '' his e-mail said . Outgoing HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt asked her for resignation . Chief Operating Officer William Henry Smith III will take over as interim director .
Dr. Susan Smith will leave her post by noon on January 20 . Outgoing HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt asked her for resignation . Chief Operating Officer William Henry Smith III will take over as interim director .