Staff/Contact Us

Our Staff

Dawn Vader, MBA, Adminstrator

Dawn manages the day-to-day operations of the Health Department.

Debbie Smith, PBT, CM

Debbie serves as a phlebotomist. She teaches Silver Sneakers, is a class facilitator, and assists with day-to-day clinic operations.

Pamela Husby, Billing Clerk 

Pam processes our billing, creates schedules, tracks Covid positives and assists with other administrative duties.

Dr. Joy Murphy, Psy. D, LPC, RN-BC

Joy is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She is available for appointments Monday and Tuesday 8 to 4.

Megan Pitts RN, BSN

Megan’s main duty is serving as WIC and Breastfeeding Coordinator for Hickory County.

Patty Turner, RN, Public Health Nurse

Patty handles our immunizations and blood pressure checks. She teaches DPP classes and is the Epidemiology Assistant.

Theresa Hunt, Med Tech

Theresa does Covid and Influenza testing. She also assists in the front office with birth and death certificates, appointments, and WIC.

 Jeff Owen

Jeff is our Environmental Public Health Specialist, he is responsible for the food establishment inspections, septic permit inspections, and environmental complaint investigations.

Our Board of Directors:

Kathy Rains, President - 417-300-1385

Linda Wilson, Secretary/Treasurer

Dan Blankenship, Board Member

Tony Leal, Board Member

Sarah Box, Board Member