New Jersey state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, made famous for her role as the state’s top health official during the Covid-19 pandemic, is set to retire next month, Governor Murphy confirmed this morning.

“Judy’s unwavering dedication to public service during one of the most challenging times in our nation’s history will be remembered with sincere appreciation & gratitude,” Murphy said in a statement, adding that he is “grateful for her tireless efforts to advance the health & well-being of New Jerseyans.”

Persichilli, who quickly became known as “the woman who needs no introduction,” began serving as Acting Commissioner of Health on August 5, 2019. She was confirmed by the State Senate on January 9, 2020 just weeks before the state began seeing its first cases of Covid-19.

Prior to leading the Health Department, Persichilli served as the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of University Hospital in Newark.

Last year, the New Jersey Department of Health State Office Building in Trenton was renamed as the “Judith M. Persichilli Building” in her honor.