TOPEKA — Denise Cyzman has been selected as the new executive director of the Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved, an official with the organization confirmed Thursday.

A formal announcement is expected Friday.

For the past three years, Cyzman, who holds a master’s degree in health education from the University of Michigan, has been a vice president for the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. Prior to that, she was a senior consultant with the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors.

Cyzman, who is expected to start at KAMU on Monday, Oct. 20, replaces Cathy Harding, who left in May to become chief executive of the Wyandotte Health Foundation.

Kendra Poole, KAMU’s chief financial officer, has served as interim director since Harding’s departure.

KAMU represents the state’s safety net clinics, which focus on serving the working poor who lack health insurance or are underinsured.