by Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Director Kelly Garcia has resigned, the governor’s office announced Monday.
Director of the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) Larry Johnson will succeed her in leading the department.
Garcia served as head of the department for six years after Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed her to head the then-Department of Human Services in 2019. Garcia took on the role of interim director of the Iowa Department of Public Health in June 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the two departments were officially merged in 2022 under her leadership.
“Serving as the inaugural Director of Iowa’s Department of Health and Human Services has been a profound privilege,” Garcia said in the news release announcing her resignation. “I’m deeply proud of our work to support Iowa’s families, from strengthening child protective services to improving health care access, especially for Iowa’s most vulnerable. I’m thankful to Governor Reynolds for this tremendous opportunity and to the incredible HHS team for their tireless dedication to our state.”
In addition to managing the state’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic, Garcia also played a role in initiatives led by Reynolds on issues like restructuring the state’s behavioral health system and pursuing expansions for Iowa’s medical residencies programs.
Reynolds thanked Garcia in a statement for serving in her administration, saying she made major improvements to the state’s public health and human services infrastructure.
“Since her arrival in Iowa, Director Garcia has led with vision and dedication, driving transformative progress within Iowa’s health and human services systems,” Reynolds said. “Her leadership at HHS has delivered meaningful results for Iowans across our state. From expanding child care opportunities to enhancing health care access in rural communities, her contributions will make a difference for years to come.”
Garcia has not stated where she plans to work next. Her resignation comes as Reynolds has announced she will not seek reelection in 2026. Whoever is elected governor in the upcoming election will have the ability to replace the agency directors appointed by Reynolds.
While Garcia has resigned, she is still working with Johnson, beginning a “weeks-long transition plan, which will include engaging with HHS division leaders, staff, and key stakeholders across the state” according to the news release. Johnson is set to begin his time as HHS director in mid-October.
In addition to serving as DIAL director for six years, Johnson has also served as the state public defender, and as legal counsel for former Gov. Terry Branstad and then-Lt. Gov. Reynolds.
“Director Johnson’s successful leadership of Iowa’s largest regulatory agency has prepared him well for the responsibility of leading the Department of Health and Human Services,” Reynolds said. “A trusted leader known for achieving high performance, Larry will guide the HHS team through full implementation of the agency’s work in progress as we continue to elevate our service to Iowans.”
Aaron Baack, who currently serves as deputy director and chief operations officer at the agency, will replace Johnson as interim director.
Johnson thanked the staff at DIAL for their work during his time at the agency, and said he was looking forward to taking on the HHS leadership role.
“Through alignment, our goal at DIAL was to modernize, standardize and simplify government,” Johnson said. “We accomplished extraordinary results in a short period of time, and I look forward to seeing that work continue and grow. I am honored, humbled and excited to work with the talented team at HHS and grateful for the past six years at DIAL.”
Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com.
