Persichilli was surprised by the announcement.
“I’m a little stunned right now and a little speechless,” she said before making her remarks. “My friends from University know that’s hard to believe, that I can be speechless.”
Persichilli is the first nurse to be health commissioner, the governor noted. She was appointed acting commissioner in Aug. 2019 and was later confirmed for the job on a permanent basis in Jan. 2020, only two months before the first positive COVID-19 case in the state.
Prior to becoming commissioner, she was acting CEO of University Hospital, interim president and CEO of CHE Trinity Health, President and CEO of Catholic Health East, and CEO of St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton.
On reaching the goal, Persichilli thanked the governor for his support.
“[Murphy] has stood by the Health Department every step of the way,” she said. “Never wavering in his support of our program.”
The work continues…
Gov. Murphy said despite reaching the vaccination milestone, the state will continue to get as many people as vaccinated as possible.
“Through Operation Jersey Summer, we’re going to continue to reach deep into every community alongside respected community voices to push even higher,” he said.