Governor, Kim Reynolds, announced today (Tuesday) she has appointed Kelly Garcia, the current director of the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS), to lead the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH). Reynolds says, “Kelly Garcia has done an outstanding job at DHS, and her expertise and work ethic will bring great value to the IDPH. This is an opportunity to increase cooperation and collaboration between these two agencies to better serve Iowans.” Garcia was chosen to lead DHS in November 2019 and was unanimously confirmed by the Iowa Senate in February. Prior to joining DHS, Garcia worked in the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and received her master’s degree in public administration from Texas A&M. Garcia is replacing Gerd Clabaugh, who will be retiring at the end of July.
