DES MOINES – Today, Governor Reynolds has appointed Gerd W. Clabaugh to serve as interim director of the Department of Human Services. He will continue to serve as director of the Department of Public Health until a permanent DHS director is named. Clabaugh replaces Jerry Foxhoven, who resigned effective today- Mnoday, June 17

“Gerd has done an incredible job at the Department of Public Health and is well positioned to lead the Department of Human Services,” said Gov. Reynolds. “He will play a very important role in implementing my vision for an integrated, compassionate, and coordinated health care system.”

Gerd Clabaugh has served as the director of the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) since 2014. Clabaugh has served in many capacities within IDPH, including deputy director, director of health promotion and chronic disease prevention, director of acute disease epidemiology and emergency response. During the early 1990s, he served as director of the center for health policy. Clabaugh has Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science and Economics from Drake University, a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Iowa State University, and Doctoral Studies in Health Management and Policy from the University of Iowa.