State Medical Director and epidemiologist Dr. Caitlin Pedati is leaving the Iowa Division of Public Well being, the company introduced in a information launch Wednesday.
Pedati will depart the company in late October “to pursue new profession alternatives,” in accordance with the discharge.
Pedati has performed a distinguished position in Iowa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as state medical director, a job she has held since June 2018. Early within the pandemic, she was a frequent presence at Gov. Kim Reynolds’ information conferences the place she supplied recommendation about social distancing and hand washing. Pedati has appeared much less usually at information conferences extra just lately.
Reynolds thanked Pedati for her work in a press release.
“She has been instrumental to our state’s robust COVID-19 response and a valued member of my workforce,” Reynolds stated. “I want her a lot success and happiness in all that she pursues.”
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Kelly Garcia, the Iowa Division of Public Well being’s interim director, counseled Pedati for her “private sacrifice.”
“The work of the final 18 months has been tough at finest and I stay immensely appreciative of Dr. Pedati’s steadfast partnership all through,” she stated in a press release. “I, together with our groups at IDPH and the Division of Human Providers will miss her.”
The well being division “will work rapidly to fill the place,” the discharge stated.
Pedati’s wage was $265,044 as of August 2020, after she received a 45% raise.
Pedati is a pediatrician by coaching. Earlier than she was employed as Iowa’s state epidemiologist, Pedati labored as an epidemiologist for the state of Nebraska. She has a health care provider of medication and grasp’s in public well being from George Washington College.
Sarah Ekstrand, a spokesperson for the Iowa Division of Public Well being, stated Wednesday that Pedati “doesn’t have availability for an interview.”
“At the moment, her focus is on working together with her workforce to arrange for this transition,” Ekstrand stated in an e-mail.
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Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He might be reached by e-mail at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by telephone at 515-284-8169. Observe him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.
