AUGUSTA – The state Senate unanimously accepted the nomination Wednesday of Gardiner resident Brenda Harvey as commissioner of the $3 billion Health and Human Services Department.

The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee had recommended confirmation of the Gov. John Baldacci’s nominee in a 10-3 vote Tuesday.

The governor announced after the Senate’s action Wednesday afternoon that he would officially swear in Harvey during a ceremony in his office this morning.

She has been the acting commissioner of one of Maine’s largest state departments since January, when she succeeded John “Jack” Nicholas.

“Brenda has already taken actions that will improve the services offered as we continue on the path of creating a culture of quality, performance and responsiveness,” Baldacci said in a prepared statement.

Harvey also had served for a time in 2004 as acting commissioner of the Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services, which has since been merged into the 4,000-employee Health and Human Services Department.