Under the authority of Chapter 137 of the Code of Iowa, the Board of Health provides oversight to policy development, enforcement, education, and advocacy for the protection and improvement of public health.
Mary Robinson, 2022 Chair, Pastor, All Nations Community Church and a Chaplain at Tyson Foods. The Rev. Dr. Robinson previously served on the Board of Health from 2004-2009, and returned to the board in 2015. She held the position of Board Chair in 2008-2009, and again 2019-present. She brings to the Board expertise as a former attorney and social worker, in addition to serving 12 years on the Iowa State Board of Education, 10 years as President of the Iowa-Nebraska NAACP, former Chair of the Board of Directors for Cedar Valley’s Promise and 55 years as a community activist and advocate with involvement in diversity training. One of her strengths is in advocating for inclusivity in serving the public health needs of everyone in Black Hawk County, especially those who may go undetected.
(Board Term: (01/01/2020-12/31/2022)
Dr. Wes Pilkington, PharmD, Vice-Chair, is the pharmacist in charge at Evans Crossing Pharmacy in Evansdale. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy in 2011. Wes is an active member of Iowa Pharmacy Association and National Community Pharmacy Association. He also serves as a preceptor for pharmacy students from The University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. His experiences with pharmacy workgroups related to behavioral health, immunizations and increased access to electronic medical records have given him an enthusiasm for public health.
(Board Term: 1/1/2022-12/31/2024).
Dr. Adam Roise is the Assistant Program Director for the UnityPoint Central Iowa Family Medicine Residency Program, Waterloo Track. He has worked in Black Hawk County since 2008. He completed his medical training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before moving to Iowa for his residency. Dr. Roise’s time in the Peace Corps was the foundation for his interest in focusing on the health of populations and addressing disparities in communities. His research is in the areas of chronic disease management such as diabetes and hypertension. He serves as the Board’s Medical Advisor.
(Board Term: 01/01/2021-12/31/2023)
Disa Cornish is an Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Northern Iowa. She is a graduate of NU High School in Cedar Falls. She attended the University of Iowa where she earned a BA in journalism and Spanish as well as her MS in public health. She earned a PhD in public health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Cornish teaches courses in epidemiology, maternal and infant health, planning and evaluation of public health programs, and research methods, among others. Her work is focused on health behavior, health equity, and maternal and child health.
(Board Term: 1/1/22-12/31/24)
Kingsley Botchway II is chief officer of human resources and equity for the Waterloo Schools District. From 2014 to 2018, he was the director of equity and engagement for the Iowa City Community School District, and an adjunct professor at Kirkwood Community College-Iowa City campus. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, Botchway went on to complete his law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 2010. In 2014, he was elected to the Iowa City City Council, serving as mayor pro tem from 2015-2017.
(Board Term: 02/08/22-12/31/2023)
The Black Hawk County Board of Health sponsors an annual legislative and/or candidate forum. Candidate forums offer an opportunity for the Board of Health to dialogue with local, state and federal candidates about priority public health issues. Legislative forums are generally held during the non-election years and focus on priority public health legislation. On behalf of the Black Hawk County Board of Health, staff from the Health Department actively monitors the status of state and federal public health legislation.
HealthCare.gov
Iowa Modernization of Public Health Committees
Iowa Legislature
Kaiser Family Foundation