(a) There is hereby established within and as a part of the department of health and environment a division of public health, the head of which shall be the director of the division of public health. Under the supervision of the secretary of health and environment, the director of the division of public health shall administer the division of public health. The director shall be a physician, hold a valid license to practice medicine and surgery, and have experience and educational training in the field of public health. The secretary of health and environment shall appoint the director of the division of public health who shall serve at the pleasure of the secretary. The director shall be in the unclassified service and shall receive an annual salary fixed by the secretary and approved by the governor.

(b) Whenever the division of health, or words of like effect, are referred to or designated by statute, contract or other document, such reference or designation shall be deemed to apply to the division of public health.