Jasper County Public Health announces new administrator

The search is over and the newly formed Jasper County Public Health has a leader.

Rebecca Pryor accepted the position of Jasper County Public Health Administrator, said Margot Voshell, chair of the board of health.

“Becky comes to us with an extensive resume. We were very excited that we were able to secure her because she comes in with a breadth of experience and knowledge,” Voshell said.

Pryor worked at Grinnell Regional Medical Center as Director of Home Health, Public Health and Hospice for the past four years. Before moving to Iowa, she worked for more than 15 years at Fayette County Health Department, which is a county based agency in Illinois, in a wide variety of public health, maternal and child health and home health programs.

“I see unlimited potential and I am excited for the opportunity to build the Public Health programs in Jasper County. I look forward to working with the community and the board of health to meet the needs of the county,” Pryor said.

Along with a degree in nursing, Pryor has a bachelor’s degree in leadership. She is a Vandalia, Ill. native and currently resides near Newton. Her start date is Feb. 16.

“She is well versed in grant writing, public speaking and environmental concerns. She has an extensive background in emergency preparedness. She is very knowledgeable and understands the importance of emergency preparedness and how important it is to our community, particularly with the Speedway,” Voshell said. “Becky’s experience and depth of knowledge of the position in far beyond what we could have hoped for.”

Jasper County Public Health formed in December following Skiff Medical Center electing to no longer provide the service after its merger with Mercy. Skiff provided the service since 1984.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at
641-792-3121 ext. 6534
or jpierson@newtondailynews.com