Gov. Nathan Deal has nominated Clyde Reese to serve as commissioner of the Department of Community Health.

Deal announced the nomination Thursday, which is subject to approval by the department's board. Reese is currently commissioner of the Department of Human Services and replaces David Cook, who left to become secretary of the Georgia Senate. There, Cook will serve as an administrative officer.

Reese's nomination marks a return. He served as DCH commissioner in 2010. The department has a $12 billion budget, overseeing the state's Medicaid program and regulation of health care facilities.

To replace Reese at the Department of Human Services, Deal nominated Keith Horton, who currently serves as deputy director of the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. Horton is a former director of the department's Division of Child Support Services.

Tags: Georgia Department of Community Health, Georgia Department of Human Services, David Cook, clyde reese