HyeSook Chung, left, and Mayor Muriel Bowser in Dec. 2016, after Chung was appointed to serve as Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services. (Photo by Mayor Muriel Bowser)

HyeSook Chung, D.C.’s Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, suddenly left Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration on Wednesday, marking the second personnel change among the mayor’s top aides in the last week.

Chung’s unexpected departure was announced in an email from City Administrator Rashad Young to the rest of Bowser’s cabinet on Wednesday evening, where he also said that Wayne Turnage, who has led the Department of Health Care Finance since Mayor Vince Gray’s term, will take over Chung’s job in an interim capacity while remaining in his own post.

Young did not characterize the circumstances surrounding Chung’s departure, but one person with knowledge of the situation who requested anonymity to speak freely said Chung was pushed out.

The change in the office of a deputy mayor who oversees everything from homeless services to health and youth rehabilitation programs comes only five days after Courtney Snowden, the Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity, announced her own intentions to leave the Bowser administration for a job in the private sector. Snowden will be replaced on an interim basis by Brenda Donald, the head of the Child and Family Services Administration, who will also remain in that position.

An attempt to reach Chung on Wednesday night was unsuccessful. In a statement, Bowser’s chief of staff, John Falcicchio, said turnover was to be expected as Bowser completes her first term in office and heads towards a second.

“We have a great team, many of whom have served our residents since the first day of the Bowser administration,” Falcicchio said in a statement. “We are proud of what we are accomplishing together under Mayor Bowser’s leadership. After more than three and a half years, it is ordinary that some will take on new roles and others will seek opportunities outside of government. We are thankful to all who serve.”

With Chung’s departure and Snowden leaving, Bowser’s longest serving deputy mayors are Brian Kenner, who oversees planning and economic development, and Kevin Donahue, in charge of public safety and justice. Ahnna Smith has been serving as the Interim Deputy Mayor for Education since Jennie Niles, who was brought on by Bowser, resigned in February after it was revealed that she helped former D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Antwan Wilson place his daughter in a high school outside of the normal admissions lottery. There is currently a search underway for a new chancellor.

Chung was appointed to serve as Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services in Dec. 2016. Prior to that, she served as executive director of D.C. Action for Children, a well-respected child advocacy organization.