The Clay County Public Health Center Board of Trustees has formally selected Darrell Meinke as director of public health for Clay County effective January 1st, 2024. Meinke will serve as the director after Gary E. Zaborac announced his retirement at the end of 2023 following 20 years of highly dedicated service to Clay County.
Meinke grew up in Kearney, MO and other than attending the University of Missouri for his undergraduate degree has been a lifelong resident of the Northland. He began his public health career at the Kansas City Health Department and for the last 18 years has been working at Clay County Public Health Center in a variety of roles.
“The board and I are extremely pleased with the selection,” Kathy Ellermeier Clay County Public Health Center board chair said. “Darrell is a skilled public health leader and has demonstrated his long-term commitment to CCPHC and to the community. We have a great amount of trust that he will continue the high standards of CCPHC while working to achieve our strategic goals and address community health priorities across the county.”
Meinke has served as Deputy Director since 2019 and previously served as Division Director of Administration, Section Chief of Operations and Director of Human Resources among other roles. Throughout his career, he has helped lead Clay County Public Health Center’s Community Health Assessment, Community Health Improvement Plan and Accreditation efforts. He also continues to serve on the Behavioral Health Task force for the Northland Health Alliance.
“Working in public health has always been very rewarding,” Meinke said. “I’m honored to continue working alongside such an incredible and dedicated group of public health professionals. It’s exciting to think about all the things we can achieve that will continue to make Clay County one of the healthiest places to live in Missouri.”
Meinke's education includes a master’s degree in public health through Purdue University and a bachelor’s degree in human environmental science from the University of Missouri. He is also currently a member of multiple public health associations including the National Association of County and City Health Officials, Missouri Public Health Association, Metropolitan Official Health Agencies of the Kansas City Area, Northland Health Alliance and Missouri Center for Public Health Excellence where he serves on multiple committees.