Thursday, June 14, 2007
Lt. Governor Patty Judge Announces Wellness Commission
Five Commissioners Will Hold Statewide Meetings
(DES MOINES)- Today, Lt. Governor Patty Judge unveiled her Commission on Wellness and Healthy Living today at the State Capitol. Five commissioners from across Iowa have been selected to lead town hall meetings, and gather new and innovative ideas from Iowans around the state.
Lt. Governor Judge said, “Our state faces many challenges. But no issue has greater impact on the lives of Iowans than health care. It is time we start talking about living healthier lives and ways we can improve wellness ahead of developing problems that require a doctor’s care.
“Each commissioner represents a different voice in health care. The unique and interesting perspectives of these individuals will ensure that this conversation represents the concerns of everyday Iowans.” said Lt. Governor Judge. “And I thank each of them for taking on this very important project.”
The Lt. Governor, a former nurse, will also work closely with the Iowa Department of Public Health to facilitate discussions. Several wellness forums will be held this summer in cities and towns across Iowa. The ideas generated out of those meetings will be compiled in a report to outline best practices in the areas of health of wellness, and to identify areas of concern and improvement.
The Lt. Governor’s Wellness and Healthy Living Commissioners are:
- Dr. Selden Spencer, who will serve as the Chair of the commission. A neurologist from Ames, Dr. Spencer has dedicated his life to improving the lives of Iowans through healthy living.
- Senator Maggie Tinsman brings her nearly 30 years of public service to the commission. During her 18 years as a state senator from Bettendorf, she was the leading advocate for increased health care funding and innovative initiatives in the legislature.
- As former president of the Iowa School Nurse Organization, Sharon Yearous of Cedar Rapids will be able to present first hand knowledge of the issues affecting the health of our children.
- Art Silva is a successful Sioux City businessman who has spent eight years on the Mercy Medical Center Board of Trustees in Sioux City. Art is also a former teacher who brings a unique perspective on how improving health will also improve our economy.
- Kim Dorn has been a leader in public health for years. Currently serving as the Marion County Public Health Director, Kim is intimately familiar with the issues affecting the health of our state.
The commissioners will hold town hall meetings later this summer and hope to present ideas to the Lt. Governor by October.
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION ON NEW COMMISSIONERS
Kim Dorn has been the Director of Marion County Public Health Department for 8 years. Prior to that, she worked in a public health and home care program in Mahaska County for 15 years. She is a past president of the Iowa Public Health Association, and of the Iowa Home Care Association. Kim currently serves on the Iowa Preparedness Advisory Committee and the Promoting Healthy Behaviors section for the Public Health Standards Committee. She will be a presenter at the Governor’s Conference on Public Health: Celebrating Healthy Communities in August to present about the positive impact of reality TV and the local wellness collaboration with the Knoxville Recreation Center for the “Knoxville’s Biggest Loser” program.
Art Silva is currently President/Owner of Art Silva Lincoln-Mercury-Toyota in Sioux City Iowa. He is a former manager at Ford Motor Company and also a former high school teacher. Since 2000, Art has served on the Board of Trustees of Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City. He is active on several boards and commissions including the Sanford Community Center, United Way of Siouxland, Boy’s & Girl’s Home, and Iowa’s Judicial Nominating Commission and is a past member of Ford Motor Company’s National Dealer Council and the Briar Cliff University Board of Trustees. Art has shown a commitment to wellness issues through his work on the board of Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City. He is married and has two children.
Dr. Selden Spencer, Chair received his Bachelor’s degree at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania and went on to earn his medical degree in neurology at the University of North Dakota. After meeting his wife Jean, who was raised in Iowa, Dr. Spencer moved to Iowa and has been a resident of Huxley for sixteen years. Spencer ran for Congress because wants to make healthcare accessible to all Americans. He has acted as a faculty member at the University of Iowa and has served the community as a doctor for 22 years. He has served on the board of the Story County Habitat for Humanity, and acted as a youth leader and deacon at Collegiate Presbyterian Church in Ames. Dr. Spencer, his wife, Jean, also a doctor, and their three children Matthew, Sarah, and Annie have always been proud to call Iowa home.
Maggie Tinsman served Iowans for 18 years as a state senator until January 2007. She was a member of the Human Resources, Judiciary, State Government, and Appropriations Committees and co-chair of the Health and Human Services Appropriations Sub-Committee. Senator Tinsman has served on a number of legislative committees, boards and commissions. Among them, she co-chaired the Medical Assistance Projections and Assessment Council, served on the Medical Advisory Committee, Tobacco Use Prevention Council Board, and was vice-chair of the AFI Health Committee. She also served on the Board of Directors of the American Lung Association of Illinois/Iowa. Senator Tinsman has received numerous awards and commendations, including American Cancer Society Policy maker of the Year in 2002, American Academy of Pediatrics Citizen Award; Child Abuse Council Priorities Award in 2005, and American Heart Association Award in 2007. She has been married for 48 years and has three children and eight grandchildren.
Sharon Yearous, PhD(c), ARNP,CPNP, NCSN (Cedar Rapids) is a pediatric nurse practitioner employed by Mercy Medical Center to manage and operate the Health Promotion Center at Xavier High School and is a faculty member in Mount Mercy College Department of Nursing. Sharon has been a leader in the Iowa School Nurse Organization (ISNO) for six years and is currently the Past-President of ISNO. Sharon served as the Chair of the Healthy Children's Task Force in the state of Iowa and is a member of the Iowans Fit for Life Education Subcommittee. Sharon is an advocate for health promotion and health education.