Our Team

Topic Menu
Contact Information
Director's Office

912 Wildwood Dr.
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570

Email
info@health.mo.gov
Phone
573-751-6400

Director Sarah Willson, MBA, BSN, RN, FACHE

Sarah Willson's headshot. She is wearing a suit with a bright red shirt and tortoiseshell glasses and smiling at the camera.

(573) 751-6001, Debbie Mebruer, Executive Assistant

Sarah Willson was appointed director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) by Governor Mike Kehoe on January 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.

General Counsel & Deputy Director 
Richard W. Moore, JD, BA

Richard Moore's headshot. He is wearing a navy suit and plaid tie while smiling at the camera.

Richard W. Moore, JD, BA, is a deputy director and general counsel for 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 Bachelor of Arts in political science and history from Columbia College and his Juris Doctor from Southern Illinois University–Carbondale School of Law.

Deputy Director 
Tim Van Zandt, MPA, RN

Tim Van Zandt's headshot. He is wearing a suit and tie with rectangular glasses and smiling at the camera.

Tim Van Zandt, MPA, RN, is a deputy director for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, supporting Director Willson and several DHSS divisions. He joined the team after more than 20 years of healthcare experience, which included nursing, accounting and government affairs roles. Tim put his registered nursing degree to work in the medical-surgical unit for John’s Hopkins Medicine and on the surgical trauma unit at Indiana University Health.

Tim served as a state representative for four terms, providing fiscal oversight as a member of the House Budget Committee focusing on DHSS and the Missouri Department of Mental Health. He also chaired the historic joint committee on the Missouri Tobacco Settlement funds.

Most recently, Tim served for a decade as vice president of Government and Community Relations for St. Luke’s Health System where he used his experience as a lawmaker to influence change in public policy. He leveraged his skills in finance, compliance and quality improvement in a nearly 25-year career at St. Luke’s. He was responsible for leading internal and external communications concerning governmental affairs issues, directed and coordinated system response to proposed regulatory and legislative actions, supervised activities relating to the development of Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs) and the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee (CON). Prior to working in government and community relations, Tim served as a corporate compliance analyst where he led investigations into Medicare compliance and analyzed denied claims. He also served as the director of revenue cycle management where he led a variety of process analyses centered on revenue enhancement and supervised the charging standardization process for St. Luke’s, which resulted in the realization of a substantial increase in patient revenues.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics in accounting and a minor in political science from the University of Central Missouri, a Master of Public Administration in healthcare administration from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and an Associate of Science in nursing from Montgomery College.

Chief Medical Officer

Heidi B. Miller, MD

Heidi Miller's headshot. She is wearing a black blazer and round glasses while smiling at the camera.

Heidi B. Miller, MD, is the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). Since assuming the inaugural CMO role in 2023, Dr. Miller has prioritized integrating public health, health policy and healthcare delivery to holistically improve health outcomes for all Missourians.

Dr. Miller is responsible for (1) Providing clinical oversight and expert consultation to all DHSS divisions, (2) Partnering with health organizations to foster a cohesive public health ecosystem, (3) Innovating and optimizing public health programming, (4) Strategizing health policy and budget, and (5) Communicating public health messages to the public and provider community.

A clinician leader at the nexus of public health and care delivery, Dr. Miller works to ensure aligned priorities, evidence-based practices, actionable data, and impactful outcomes statewide. Her approach prioritizes upstream interventions to strengthen prevention and access to quality care across urban, rural and frontier communities.

Dr. Miller continues to serve as a primary care physician at a Federally Qualified Health Center, Family Care Health Centers. She trained at Yale University and Harvard Medical School and completed her residency in Internal Medicine Primary Care at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She has received awards recognizing her humanism and dedication to ensuring access to care for all Missourians, particularly in rural and safety-net settings. Dr. Miller has dedicated her career to advancing high-quality, preventive, integrated, team-based, cost-effective and compassionate care for all Missourians, while strengthening public health across the state.

Governmental Policy & Legislation

Cade Tremain

Cade Tremain's headshot. He is wearing a dark gray suit and smiling at the camera.

(573) 751-6003

The activities of the Office of Governmental Policy and Legislation include coordinating the development, review, and tracking of state legislation related to public health, health, and senior services. The office also reviews federal legislation for its impact on department policy and programs and serves as the departmental liaison between elected officials, other state agencies and constituent groups.

Office of Public Information

Lisa Cox

Lisa Cox

(573) 751-6062

The Office of Public Information (OPI) coordinates all communications released by DHSS, including media contacts and information in response to inquiries from other agencies and the public. OPI generates department publications, videos and promotes department activities. Additionally, OPI also oversees the department’s website and social media profiles.

Media Request Form

Division of Administration

Chad Ridder, Director

Chad Ridder's headshot. He is wearing a dark gray suit and a blue tie and smiling at the camera.

(573) 751-6012

The Division of Administration supports the daily functions of the department in a variety of ways. While most of our divisions and programs are public-facing, the impact of this division can be seen and felt by every team member at DHSS. The division provides fiscal, administrative, human resources, training and general services support to all department divisions. 

Programs

  • Budget Services and Analysis
  • Office of Compliance Services
  • Division Liaison Services
  • Fiscal Oversight and Reporting
  • Bureau of General Services
  • Bureau of Health Fiscal Services
  • Office of Human Resources
  • Bureau of Procurement Services
  • Bureau of Workforce Development 

Division of Cannabis Regulation

Amy Moore, Director

Amy Moore's headshot. She is wearing a black blazer and a teal top. She is smiling at the camera.

(866) 219-0165

The Division of Cannabis Regulation implements, regulates, and oversees the state’s medical and adult-use cannabis programs to create safe access to marijuana for qualifying patients and consumers. Regulation authority is provided through Article XIV of the Missouri Constitution and 19 CSR 100.

Programs

  • Section for Patient and Application Services
  • Section Development Unit
    • Individual Licensing Unit
    • Facility Application Services
  • Section for Compliance and Enforcement
    • Bureau of Facility Compliance
    • Facility Compliance Unit
    • Compliance Assessment Unit
    • Testing and Research Unit
    • Bureau of Business Licensing Services
    • Program Development Unit
    • Bureau of Investigation & Enforcement
  • Office of Operational Support

Division of Community & Public Health

Daniel Bogle, Interim Director

(573) 751-6080

The Division of Community and Public Health is responsible for supporting and operating more than 100 programs and initiatives addressing public health. These programs promote safety and well-being to all citizens and visitors of the state of Missouri. The division works to prevent and

Daniel Bogle

 control chronic and communicable diseases, partners with local public health agencies to respond quickly to health risks, ensures the safety of food and water, and monitors environmental health conditions. This division also improves public health through injury prevention, nutrition services, immunizations, dental health programs, health promotion efforts, newborn screening, initiatives to expand primary care and rural health access, and by providing vital records services.

Programs

  • Center for Local Public Health Services
  • Office of Dental Health
  • Office of Epidemiology
  • Office of Minority Health and Health Equity
  • Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
  • Office on Women’s Health
  • Bureau of Cancer and Chronic Disease Control
  • Bureau of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention
  • Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance
  • Bureau of Community Health and Wellness
  • Bureau of Data Modernization & Interoperability
  • Bureau of Environmental Epidemiology
  • Bureau of Environmental Health Services
  • Bureau of Genetics and Health Childhood
  • Bureau of Health Care Analysis and Data Dissemination
  • Bureau of HIV, STI and Hepatitis
  • Bureau of Immunizations
  • Bureau of Vital Records
  • Bureau of WIC and Nutrition Services
  • Healthcare Associated Infections/Antimicrobial Resistance Program

Division of Regulation & Licensure

Mindy Laughlin, Director

Mindy Laughlin's headshot. She is wearing a black blazer and a black and white shirt.

(573) 751-8535

The Division of Regulation and Licensure issues state licenses for a variety of entities providing services that impact health and safety. Division staff determine compliance with state and/or federal regulations through inspection of the premises, care and services.

Programs

  • Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU)
  • Section for Health Standards and Licensure
  • Bureau of Ambulatory Care
  • Bureau of Diagnostic Services
  • Bureau of Home Care and Rehabilitative Standards
  • Bureau of Hospital Standards
  • Section for Long-Term Care Regulation
  • Health Education and Training Unit
  • Licensure and Certification Unit
  • Quality Assurance and Education Unit
  • Regulation and Compliance Unit
  • Section for Regulatory Standards and Registration
  • Board of Nursing Home Administrators
  • Certificate of Need Program
  • Supplemental Health Care Services Agency Regulation
  • Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs
  • Bureau of Emergency Medical Service
  • Time Critical Diagnosis

Division of Senior & Disability Services

Melanie Highland, Director

Melanie Highland's headshot. She is wearing a magenta blazer and a chunky necklace while smiling at the camera.

(573) 526-3626

The Division of Senior and Disability Services plays a crucial role as the state unit on aging. This division oversees and ensures the health and safety of seniors and people with disabilities who receive long‑term care in their homes or communities instead of a care facility.

Programs

  • Section for Adult Protective Services
  • Section for Home and Community Based Services
  • Bureau of Senior Programs
  • Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

The State Public Health Laboratory

Adam Perkins, Director

Adam Perkins' headshot. He is wearing a navy suit and smiling at the camera.

(573) 751-3334

The Missouri State Public Health Laboratory (MSPHL) is dedicated to promoting, protecting and partnering for health by delivering quality public health laboratory services. These services include laboratory testing for infectious diseases, genetic disorders and environmental concerns, both in support of public health programs and as a reference laboratory performing confirmatory or specialized procedures. The MSPHL provides scientific expertise and managerial leadership to meet the challenges in clinical and environmental laboratory disciplines and in the development of public health policy. The MSPHL is comprised of two locations; the main laboratory resides in Jefferson City and its breath alcohol program is located in Poplar Bluff.

Programs

  • Administration (includes Fiscal and Quality Systems)
  • Breath Alcohol Unit (Poplar Bluff Branch Lab)
  • Chemistry Unit
  • Environmental Bacteriology Unit
  • Immunology Unit
  • Laboratory Preparedness Education and Safety (LPES)
  • Laboratory Support Services (includes Mailroom)
  • Informatics Unit
  • Microbiology Unit
  • Molecular Unit
  • Newborn Screening Unit
  • Virology Unit