Director's Office
Sarah Willson, BSN, MBA, FACHE
(573) 751-6001, Debbie Mebruer, Executive Assistant
Sarah Willson was appointed director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services by Gov. Mike Kehoe on Jan. 14, 2025. Willson brings a wealth of valuable experience to DHSS given her background as a practicing nurse and healthcare executive.
Willson’s healthcare career has been defined by advocating for advancing quality care, developing efficiencies and improving outcomes for patients, as well as collaborating with lawmakers to develop healthcare legislation at the state and federal level. She has led statewide conversations on improving care for children, women, seniors and other vulnerable populations.
Willson was born in Missouri and raised in a rural community. Growing up, she and her family used services at her local public health agency, which introduced her to the importance and power of the public health system.
Prior to joining DHSS, Willson served as Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs for the Missouri Hospital Association for nearly a decade. She provided clinical and regulatory guidance to more than 140 Missouri hospitals in rural and urban communities, serving as a key expert on licensing, survey processes and compliance for acute care, critical access, long-term care, rehabilitation and psychiatric facilities.
Willson has also held leadership roles with Compassus Hospice and Palliative Care, where she oversaw operations in multiple states and became a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Administrator. At Capital Region Medical Center, she directed patient care services across several departments.
Willson has a Master of Business Administration in health management from William Woods University and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and has been recognized with several awards throughout her career.Richard W. Moore, JD, BA, Deputy Director & General Counsel
Richard W. Moore, JD, BA, is the Deputy Director and General Counsel of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. In this combined role Moore assists with the management of the day-to-day internal operations of DHSS by coordinating operational activities including budget, human resources, emergency response and strategic planning. This position represents the director’s priorities for the advancement of department interests to all departmental employees, as well as at public hearings, legislative hearings, and state and national meetings. Additionally he leads a legal staff of sixteen in-house attorneys and dozens or contract attorneys who represent the department in approximately 1,000 cases before the Administrative Hearing Commission and Circuit Courts on topics such as infectious and communicable diseases, COVID-19, medical marijuana, hospital licensure, long-term care facilities, human resources, food safety, and vital records. He was responsible for the design, drafting and implementation of administrative rules and orders to establish Missouri’s medical marijuana program, MO VIP COVID-19 vaccination incentive, and all orders in relation to COVID-19.
Governor Michael L. Parson appointed Moore to serve as Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services on February 1, 2022, during the height of COVID-19. He previously served as General Counsel to the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri Treasurer. Moore received his B.A. in Political Science/History from Columbia College and his JD from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale School of Law.