Paula Nickelson was appointed Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services in March 2022 and elevated to full status Director in June 2023.
Nickelson is responsible for the oversight and management of the department and the administration of its programs and services which protect the health and safety of Missourians. The divisions of Administration, Community and Public Health, Regulation and Licensure, and Senior and Disability Services; State Public Health Laboratory, Offices of Public Information, General Counsel, Governmental Policy and Legislation report to the director.
Serving the agency for more than 25 years, Nickelson has a distinguished career in public health and healthcare management. For most of her time with the Department, she has been a leader in several program areas, including maternal-child health, chronic disease prevention, and emergency preparedness and response. Nickelson also serves as Past President and the Region VII director for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). Region VII includes representation from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.