CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Former state senator Rosalind Kurita has taken a new position at the state Department of Health and is drawing on her nursing background to help fight obesity in Tennessee.

Kurita, who once served as a Democratic state senator for Clarksville, told The Leaf-Chronicle that her new position as health policy adviser with the state will be an opportunity to make a genuine difference in people's lives.

She is already making changes within the department to encourage workplace fitness, including reopening a small exercise room and putting mile markers in the hallways to encourage employees to walk a few laps around the building.

Kurita was ousted after state Democrats vacated her 19-vote win in a 2008 Democratic primary race after she aligned with Republicans to elect Ron Ramsey as Senate speaker in 2007.