Des Moines, Iowa – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed Kelly Garcia to serve as interim director of the Iowa Department of Public Health. She will continue to serve as director of the Department of Human Services.

“Kelly Garcia has done an outstanding job at DHS, and her expertise and work ethic will bring great value to IDPH,” Reynolds said in a June 30 release. “This is an opportunity to increase cooperation and collaboration between these two agencies to better serve Iowans.”

Reynolds appointed Garcia to oversee DHS in November 2019. She was confirmed by the Iowa Senate on Feb. 26, 2020. Before moving to Iowa, Kelly served in a series of executive positions at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Garcia holds an Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University and is married to attorney Dan Garcia.

Garcia replaces Gerd Clabaugh, who is retiring on July 31.

– Iowa Governor’s Office