Mission

To ensure that a competent, diverse, sustainable, and prepared public health system exists in Missouri.

Vision

Creating optimal health for all Missourians!

About Us

Our Story

MOCPHE is a member association as well as a public health institute. Our mission is to ensure that a competent, diverse, sustainable, and prepared public health system exists in Missouri. Our goals include transforming the state’s public health system, advocating for good public health policy and expanding strategic partnerships to improve the health of all Missourians. We accomplish these goals by focusing on attainable, tangible, measurable solutions delivered efficiently and professionally.

MOCPHE was formed as a 501c3 non-profit in 2013. Over the past 10 years, MOCPHE has continued to operate as a systems-thinker and driver. Partnering with multiple LPHAs over our history, we continue to grow in membership and size. We focus on opportunities to improve the public health system and center the voices of LPHAs as the main deliverer of public health services in Missouri.

MOCPHE took a major step forward in 2022, when we were officially recognized as a public health institute by the National Network for Public Health Institutes. The milestone marked our transition from a member organization into something much bigger: a Missouri public health champion. Of course, we still have a strong membership component that serves as a peer network with exclusive benefits. But now we also offer a range of services and programs that are designed to lift the public health system.

Our efforts at system change include a focus on supporting partners in meeting operational needs and capacity building, training, peer collaboration, grant writing and management, strategic planning and facilitation, community engagement, program evaluation, and policy advocacy.

We have a particular desire to improve public health funding in Missouri, and we’ve already attracted over $500,000.00 in public and private funding for the public health system in Missouri in the last 12 months on behalf of our members and partners. We have worked diligently to communicate the value of public health funding to a variety of stakeholders and policymakers. 

Interested in learning more? Click here or email Deputy Director Sarah Crosley at scrosley@mocphe.org to schedule a conversation. We’d love to talk to you about how we can work together for better public health.

Our Team

Spring Schmidt

Executive Director

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Larry Jones

Senior Advisor

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Sarah Crosley

Deputy Director

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Liz House

Program Director

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Kelly McGowan

Policy and Membership Engagement Manager

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Allie Bodin

Health Data Analytics and Informatics Manager

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Leah Moser

Program Manager

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Taylor Anderson

Program Manager

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Xandy Harker

Special Projects Coordinator

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Jacob Hollstrom

Special Projects Coordinator

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Alexa Vaccaro

Special Projects Coordinator

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Our Executive Committee

Gary Zaborac

Immediate Past President

Clay County Public Health Center

Jon Mooney

President

Springfield-Greene County Health Department

Lisa Marshall

Treasurer

Taney County Health Department

Michelle Morris

Secretary

Polk County Health Center

Marvia Jones

Member At-Large

Dr. Marvia Jones is the Director of the Kansas City Health Department.

Scott Clardy

Member At-Large

Scott Clardy is the Administrator of the Cooper County Public Health Center

Our Members

Andrew County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Andrew Hoffman
Member Level:
Associate

Bollinger County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Juanita Welker
Member Level:
Friend

Brightli Behavioral Health, Southwest Region

Agency Representative:
Clay Goddard
Member Level:
Educational

Butler County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Emily Goodin
Member Level:
Full

Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center

Agency Representative:
Jane Wernsman
Member Level:
Friend

Carter County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Michelle Walker
Member Level:
Associate

Cass County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Sarah Czech
Member Level:
Friend

City of Independence Health Department

Agency Representative:
Christina Heinen
Member Level:
Associate

City of St. Louis Heatlh Department

Agency Representative:
Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis
Member Level:
Full

Clay County Public Health Center

Agency Representative:
Gary Zaborac
Member Level:
Full

Clinton County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Blair Shock
Member Level:
Associate

Columbia-Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services

Agency Representative:
Stephanie Browning
Member Level:
Friend

Dallas County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Cheryl Eversole
Member Level:
Friend

Hickory County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Dawn Vader
Member Level:
Friend

Jackson County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Bridgette Shaffer
Member Level:
Associate

Jefferson County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Kelley Vollmar
Member Level:
Associate

Kansas City Health Department

Agency Representative:
Dr. Marvia Jones / Scott Clardy
Member Level:
Full

Kansas City University

Agency Representative:
Dr. Rex Archer
Member Level:
Educational

Lafayette County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Breann Jensen
Member Level:
Friend

Madison County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Becky Hunt
Member Level:
Friend

Miller County Health Center

Agency Representative:
Mike Herbert
Member Level:
Friend

Osage County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Kim Sallin
Member Level:
Associate

Perry County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Liz House
Member Level:
Associate

Platte County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Andrew Warlen
Member Level:
Friend

Polk County Health Center

Agency Representative:
Michelle Morris
Member Level:
Full

Springfield-Greene County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Katie Towns / Jon Mooney
Member Level:
Full

St. Charles County Department of Public Health

Agency Representative:
Sara Evers
Member Level:
Associate

St. Francois County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Linda Ragsdale
Member Level:
Full

St. Louis County Department of Public Health

Agency Representative:
Dr. Kanika Cunningham / Kate Donaldson
Member Level:
Full

St. Louis University School of Public Health and Social Justice

Agency Representative:
Ellen Barnidge
Member Level:
Educational

Stone County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Pam Burnett
Member Level:
Friend

Taney County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Lisa Marshall
Member Level:
Full

Washington County Health Department

Agency Representative:
Shawnee Douglas
Member Level:
Associate

Webster County Health Unit

Agency Representative:
Scott Allen
Member Level:
Friend