US EditionKelly Garcia stepping down as Iowa HHS director, Gov. Kim Reynolds appoints new leader
Larry Johnson will lead Iowa HHS following Kelly Garcia’s resignation after nearly six years, with a transition starting immediately to continue agency reforms and public health initiatives.
- Kelly Garcia, who has led Iowa’s Health and Human Services agency for nearly six years, announced her resignation, which will take effect next month, according to a statement from Governor Kim Reynolds' office on September 22, 2025.
- Garcia's nearly six-year tenure began in November 2019 after Reynolds appointed her to lead the formerly separate Iowa Department of Human Services and Public Health, merging them under her leadership.
- During her service, Garcia managed Iowa’s COVID-19 public health response, redesigned the behavioral health system, and improved child protective services and healthcare access for vulnerable Iowans.
- Reynolds commended Garcia as a reliable leader who achieved significant outcomes and revealed that Larry Johnson, who leads Iowa’s Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, will take over her position in mid-October.
- Garcia and Johnson will promptly start a multi-week transition process involving collaboration with HHS division leaders and key stakeholders, with Johnson anticipated to continue advancing and enhancing agency services throughout the state.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Iowa HHS Director Kelly Garcia resigns, DIAL director to take her place - The Daily Iowan
Iowa Health and Human Services Director Kelly Garcia will resign from her position after nearly six years leading the agency, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced in a news release Monday. Garcia will leave her post in mid-October, according to the news release, and current Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing Director Larry Johnson will take her place, leading Iowa’s largest cabinet agency. Garcia was the inaugural director of t…
Iowa HHS director Kelly Garcia resigns - Radio Iowa
Governor Kim Reynolds announced today that Iowa Department of Health and Human Services director Kelly Garcia has resigned and will leave the agency next month. Garcia started with the state in November 2019 as the head of the Department of Human Services and was appointed interim director of the Department of Public Health the following […]
Iowa HHS Director Kelly Garcia resigns; Gov. Reynolds names successor
DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Director of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services has resigned her position. On Monday, Governor Kim Reynolds announced Kelly Garcia's resignation after nearly six years working for the state. She also announced the new head of HHS will be Larry Johnson, the current Director of the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL). Garcia will work with Johnson on the transition over the next few wee…
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