Washington County Public Health director to resign

WASHINGTON — Washington County Public Health Director Emily Tokheim plans to leave the role at the end of the month, according to several other county officials and public records.

In a resignation letter shared with members of the Board of Health and county supervisors, Tokheim said she had accepted a position as the behavioral risk factor surveillance system coordinator for Iowa Health and Human Services.

Tokheim declined to speak in-depth about the change of positions before making a formal announcement to Board of Health — expected on Friday, according to the group’s meeting agenda on that date — but said in an email she was departing from Washington County on good terms.

“I have a tremendous amount of appreciation and gratitude for my time serving Washington County in this capacity,” she said in her resignation letter. “I am incredibly proud of the work we have been able to accomplish in a short amount of time and I look forward to continuing to partner with this agency in my new role with HHS. This was a difficult decision to make, but I could not pass up the opportunity to relocate closer to family.”

Tokheim’s time as the head of Washington County Public Health was eventful.

Starting in late 2021, the director oversaw a contentious staff vaccine mandate’s implementation and eventual repeal, two public forums on homelessness, a massive survey of community health needs, and a turnover of most of the health board’s membership, alongside other more routine management of the county’s public health system.

The Board of Health Agenda for Friday included approval of the public health director’s job description and position posting as an action item, as well as discussion on the prospect of an interim director.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com