Shannon Zoffka RN, CEO/Executive Director

“I’m looking forward to knowing all of my staff and getting to know the rest of the county,” Shannonl Zoffka RN says as she takes the reins as CEO / executive director of Tama County Public Health and Home Care on Jan. 1

She fills the position held by Linda Rosenberger, who retired from her long-time position as head of the health agency.

Public Health and Home Care has a staff of 12 full-time employees along with part-time translators and the post held by Zoffka. The office focuses on both home and public health and emergency preparedness.

Programs including Nest for expectant families and the Supporting Kids in Prevention (S.K.I.P.) are directed by the office.

“Our eyes are open for any program, ” Zoffka says, “all to keep people healthy.”

From left to right - back row: Gayle Walker, Home Care Aide; Shannon Zoffka, CEO/Executive Director; Irma Castanon, Home Care Aide; Vickie Skyberg, Home Care Aide; Todd Apfel, Environmental Health Officer; Missy Massengale, Office Assistant. middle row: Claire Shefchik, RN; Jolynn Harger, Executive/Fiscal Assistant; Brenda Bridges, LPN. front row: Lori Johnson, Assistant Director/CFO; Penny Tyynismaa, RN; Tracy Hathaway, Office Assistant/Home Care Aide; Kathi Fehr, Home Care Aide Supervisor Not present for photo: Beth Morrison, RN; Dawn Jensen, RN; Joyce Legg, PRN RN; and Gina Hoskey, Home Care Aide.

Becoming acquainted with Tama County should be a natural for Gladbrook native Zoffka. She has held various health care postions locally in the past.

After graduating from Gladbrook-Reinbeck High School in 1993, Zoffka first job after becoming a registered nurse was as a labor and delivery nurse.

During her career she has been employed at the Iowa Juvenile Home – State Training School for Girls in Toledo, for the Family Planning Clinic which formerly had offices in Toledo, Marshalltown anf Grinnell, and as a maternal health nurse for Mid-Iowa Community Action.

Currently she is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Nursing degree online from Maryville University, St. Louis.

She has two children- daughter Tristan, 23, is a nurses aide and son Ayden, 15, attends GMG High School.

Tama County Public Health and Home Care is governed by a volunteer board. It’s current membership includes Sherry Parks, chair, Dr. Polly Hineman, vice-chair, and members Duane Backen, Sandra Whannel and Phyllis Dunlap. 1st District Supervisor Larry Vest serves as his board’s liasion.

Tama County Public Health and Home Care also works with an Advisory Board that is a volunteer board appointed by the Board of Health. It’s membership includes: Richard VanderMey, Attorney, Chairman (Toledo); Sheryl Goos, RN, Vice-Chair (Tama); and members Heidi Ernst, Physical Therapist (Marshalltown); Dr. Lureta Kahler, (Toledo); Bruce McEltree, EMS/Medical Examiner (Toledo); Dr. Polly Hineman, (Toledo); and Carole Hadley, previous Home Care Aide (Dysart).