AUSTIN - Texas' Health and Human Services Commissioner is retiring later this summer.

Tom Suehs has been in the post since 2009 but said in a letter Thursday to Gov. Rick Perry that he will step down Aug. 31.

Perry said Suehs has "worked tirelessly to improve the health and wellbeing of families across the state."

The governor added that Suehs has "helped steer the health and human services enterprise through significant and much-needed reforms, ensuring that our taxpayer dollars are used effectively and efficiently to help our most vulnerable Texans."

Suehs' announcement follows word last month that state Medicaid director Billy Millwee was retiring.