(1) The governor shall appoint the director of public health by the method and for a term prescribed by section 508 of Act No. 380 of the Public Acts of 1965, being section 16.608 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. The director shall be qualified in the general field of health administration. Qualification may be demonstrated by either of the following:

  (a) Not less than 8 years administrative experience of which not less than 5 years have been in the field of health administration.

  (b) A degree beyond the level of baccalaureate in a field related to public health or administration, and not less than 5 years of administrative experience in the field of health administration.

  (2) If the director is not a physician, the director shall designate a physician as chief medical executive of the department. The chief medical executive shall be a full-time employee and shall be responsible to the director for the medical content of policies and programs.

  (3) As used in this section, “administrative experience” means service in a management or supervisory capacity.