STAFF AND BOARD

Lina Bio

Lina Tucker Reinders, MPH – Executive Director

Lina Tucker Reinders is the Executive Director of IPHA. She earned a bachelor’s degree in human services, and a Master of Public Health from the University of Minnesota. Prior to serving as IPHA’s Executive Director, Lina began her career in public health as an AmeriCorps VISTA community organizer in Minneapolis, later becoming the legislative liaison for tobacco control at the MN Department of Public Health, and a member of the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Since returning to the US, Lina has spent her time consulting on various public health projects ranging from social protection, global health system development, and maternal/child health, always with a focus on health equity. She became an active member of IPHA upon moving to Iowa in 2013, saying in her introductory speech as Executive Director, “I knew that if I wanted to be a part of the public health community in Iowa, I needed to join IPHA.”

Kim Bio

Kim Novy – Business Coordinator

Kim Novy is the Business Coordinator at Iowa Public Health Association.  As a non-profit administrative professional, she oversees IPHA’s membership database and is actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the organization. She manages membership campaigns and is responsible for donor recruitment. Kim is a skilled event planner and coordinates all IPHA events, workshops, and conferences from start to finish. Kim serves on the Advisory Board of the Epilepsy Foundation Iowa and serves as their Advocacy Committee Co-Chair. Kim’s passion for public health can be found in her advocacy for individuals/families with special healthcare needs. As a parent of differently-abled adult children, Kim has spent countless hours advocating for access to healthcare, services, and most importantly, inclusion. Kim values IPHA’s strong advocacy in health equity for all Iowans.

Elizabeth Bio

Elizabeth Faber, MPH – Iowa Immunizes Coalition Director

Elizabeth Faber is a public health consultant currently working with IPHA as the facilitator of the Iowa Immunizes Coalition. She earned a bachelor’s degree in health science from Truman State University in 2000 and a Master of Public Health from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health in 2003. Elizabeth was also the coalition consultant for the Lifelong Smiles Coalition, which is dedicated to increasing oral health access to Iowa’s aging population. Prior to independent consulting, Elizabeth served as the Iowa Region 2 Public Health Emergency Preparedness Director. Elizabeth also served as an IPHA board member from 2008 to 2014. “IPHA has provided me with professional growth, networking opportunities, and has also introduced me to many like-minded friends. I’m thankful for the support and expertise that the IPHA membership provides.”

Tinika Bio

Tinika Roland – Health Equity Consultant/Health Connect Fellow

Tinika Y. Roland is the health equity consultant/health connect fellow at IPHA, with a link to the Mid-Iowa Health Foundation. She is also the lead instructor for the Community Health Worker Certification Program through Iowa Chronic Care Consortium. Tinika earned a Bachelor of Science degree in apparel design from Iowa State University, and a master’s degree in business leadership from Upper Iowa University with an emphasis in quality management & human resource management. She previously worked in higher education in various capacities at Des Moines Area Community College and William Penn University, and has served on the board of YWCA among other volunteer leadership roles. Tinika believes community involvement is essential to being a change agent for the betterment of families, and finds purpose in educating and bringing hope through multiple pathways for future generations.

Tinika’s Fellowship focused on the importance of advocating for heart health, especially genetic testing, among the Black community. Her passion in this area comes from her own experience and that of her son’s, who had a heart transplant December 2023. Hear part 1 of Khalil’s story here and download office posters, pamphlets, and cards to share with clients, patients, and friends.

Everyone Has a Heart – poster | pamphlet | card

How to Advocate for your Health – card

Garrett Bio

Garrett Naughton – Intern

Garrett Naughton is a recent graduate of the University of Iowa College of Public Health. His role as the program coordinator for the public health workforce development coalition has allowed him to apply and further develop his skills and experiences in public health. Garrett is currently working as an AmeriCorps member with the Iowa Public Health Association and the Midwestern Public Health Training Center under site supervisors Laurie Walkner and Lina Reinders. He is looking to enter the public health workforce and believes this opportunity will provide excellent experience and be a great first step in his career in public health.

Areigna Bio

Areigna Ralston – Intern

Areigna Ralston is a junior from Drake University studying public health and data analytics. Areigna is an AmeriCorps member working with the Iowa Public Health Association and Iowa Immunizes as their community engagement coordinator. In this role she hopes to further develop our volunteer program and establish capacity. Areigna is thrilled to have this opportunity, as it is her first internship in the public health field, and she knows this experience will help her in her future career.

Eli Bio

Eli Steenhoek – Intern

Eli Steenhoek is obtaining his MPH in Health Policy at the University of Iowa. He is working in health communications, event organizing, and advocacy. He is currently developing a new civic engagement project that includes creating social media content, handouts, and website information. Eli is excited to expand his knowledge in community engagement and outreach. After completing his degree, Eli plans to work in health advocacy and community mobilization.

Kady Bio

Kady Reese, MPH – President

President@IowaPHA.org

Kady Reese is the Director of Physician, Patient & Clinical Engagement at the Iowa Medical Society. She earned a bachelor’s degree in personal health studies from Iowa State University in 2007, and a Master of Public Health with graduate certificates in public health education and promotion, and health management and policy from Benedictine University in 2013. Prior to her role at the Iowa Medical Society, Kady worked for the Iowa Healthcare Collaborative, the Iowa Department of Public Health, and the Iowa Medicaid Enterprise.

Anjali Bio

Anjali Deshpande, PhD, MPH – President-Elect

Dr. Anjali Deshpande is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Iowa College of Public Health. She earned a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University in 1990, a Master of Public Health from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 1995, and a Doctorate from Emory University in 2000. Prior to her role at the University of Iowa, Dr. Deshpande was a Clinical Assistant Professor in the School of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis, a communicable disease epidemiologist at the Oklahoma State Department of Health, and a Consultant Epidemiologist in Chronic Disease at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. She values IPHA’s role as a “place” where she can learn new things about public health, talk to colleagues about changes and challenges to public health, connect with public health practice, and meet people with whom she can contribute to make a significant impact. Dr. Deshpande has been a member of IPHA since 2016.

Joy Bio

Joy Harris, MPH – Secretary

Joy Harris is the Interim Director of Education Services at Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). She earned bachelor’s degrees in occupational therapy and psychology from St. Ambrose University in 1997 and a Master of Public Health from Des Moines University in 2003. Prior to working at PHAB she spent several years as the Public Health Modernization and Accreditation Coordinator at the Iowa Department of Public Health. She has also worked as an occupational therapist on the mental health unit at Allen Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa. Joy values the opportunities IPHA provides to network with other public health professionals and advocate for the public health system in Iowa.

Noah Bio

Noah Tabor, J.D. – Treasurer

Noah Tabor is the Chair of the Iowa government relations practice for Fredrikson and Byron. He earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of St. Thomas and a Bachelors Degree from St. Olaf College. Prior to starting the Iowa government relations practice from Fredrikson, Noah was the first regional government relations lead for Medica Health Plan. A life-long advocate for healthcare, Noah has also represented the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and the Alzheimer’s Association at the Capitol. In addition to his government relations work, Noah advises countless state and federal campaigns. Noah has worked with IPHA for nearly a decade and has been a formal member since 2020. Now, more than ever, the leadership of IPHA is needed and he is humbled to be a part of its missional work.

Pete Bio

Peter Wallace, MD, MS – Affiliate Representative to the Governing Council

Dr. Peter Wallace is the Medical Director and Chair of the Johnson County Board of Health. He earned a BS from Grinnell College in 1965, a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Iowa in 1969, and a Master of Science in Administrative Medicine from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1997. Prior to his work at the Johnson County Board of Health, Dr. Wallace served in the U.S. Navy, ran a private practice of general pediatrics, served on the Iowa City Community School Board, and worked at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. He values the camaraderie and subsequent sharing of experiences that come with involvement in IPHA. Dr. Wallace has been a member since 2011.

Deborah Bio

Deborah Thompson, MPA – Member-at-Large

Deborah is a long-time advocate for public health. She spent seven and a half years as the Legislative Liaison for the Iowa Department of Public Health. Currently, she is the Founder and President of DHT Consulting & Training. The mission of her firm is to support and build capacity for the courageous and compassionate people working in the health and human services sector to collectively create of a culture of health. This is born out of Deborah’s personal mission to be part of efforts to build a culture of health in Iowa that is the foundation for healthy and thriving communities in which her son, Lincoln, may one day choose to raise his family. Deborah served in advocacy-related leadership roles with IPHA and Iowa Immunizes between 2020 and 2022 and values the relationships with fellow public health advocates from around the state that have developed. IPHA is more than an association – it is a community and Deborah hopes to continue to build that reputation in her role as a board member.

Arlene Bio

John Bio

John Rovers, PharmD, MPH – Member-at-Large

Dr. John Rovers is a Professor of Pharmacy & Health Sciences at Drake University, where he teaches a variety of public health focused courses. A native of Canada, he earned his undergraduate degree in pharmacy at the University of Toronto and his Doctor of Pharmacy at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences. After a career in pharmacy practice, and later academia, he returned to school and completed a Master of International Public Health at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. Since most of his public health work has been in the Global South, he joined IPHA in 2018 to be able to learn more and participate in the public health issues that serve Iowans.

Maria Bio

Maria Torres – Member-at-Large

A native of El Salvador, Maria Torres moved to the United States with her family when she was 10. She is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School and currently works as the health equity coordinator for Pottawattamie County Public Health. “In my role with the health department, I work every day in making sure all communities and people feel heard and represented,” she said. Maria and her 6-year-old son, Axel, live in Council Bluffs.

Mary Bio

Mary Rose Corrigan, MSN – Member-at-Large

Mary Rose Corrigan received her BSN from Mt. Mercy College and her MSN from Clarke College (University). She has worked for the City of Dubuque Health Services Dept. since 1985, and in her current role as Public Director and manager of the Health Services Department since 1989. She has been involved in the delivery of many public health programs and services, along with initiating many new programs and policies, including the City’s childhood lead poisoning prevention program and Healthy Homes Initiative, along with the Crescent Community Health Center. In addition to serving on the Crescent Community Health Center Board of Directors since 2006, and the university of Iowa College of Public Health Board of Advisors through 2021, Mary Rose is a member of the Clarke University Board of Trustees. She has served on several other community based organization boards and also hosts nursing and public health students for public health experience and internships. Since 2001, she has been involved with community emergency preparedness education and planning, including infectious disease pandemic planning.

Rachel Bio

Rachel Reimer, Ph.D. – Member-at-Large

Rachel Reimer is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Public Health at Des Moines University. She currently serves as the MPH Program Director as well as the MHA Program Director. Before joining Des Moines University, Rachel obtained her PhD in Social Psychology with an emphasis on health behavior at Iowa State University. Her research focused on topics like racial disparities in smoking behavior and beliefs, adolescent health risk behaviors, and HPV vaccination. While her training was in scholarly research and teaching, she became passionate about the intersection of academic work and public health practice as she began to lead the DMU MPH program. She believes Iowa Public Health Association is an important connector of key stakeholders which directly supports public health students and workers in many ways. She decided to join the board so that she could both give back to the public health workforce community and learn from their great work.

Sam Bio

Sam Jarvis, MS – Member-at-Large

Sam Jarvis is the Community Health Manager at Johnson County Public Health. He has been with the department for 4 years, previously serving as the Emergency Preparedness Planner and has over 10 years total of local government public health experience. Sam holds an MS in Health Science from Western Illinois University and a BA in Biochemistry from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. He holds a certificate in emergency response coordination through the Public Health Practitioner Certification Board and is a Licensed Environmental Health Practitioner in Illinois. This Midwest-coast native calls the heartland home and enjoys all things public health.