(Des Moines, IA) – The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today (Wednesday), that Dr. Caitlin Pedati, State Medical Director and Epidemiologist, plans to leave the  agency effective late October. Dr. Pedati has served in the role since June 2018 and worked as medical epidemiologist for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services prior to joining IDPH. Dr. Pedati plans to pursue new career opportunities.

Governor Reynolds, in a written statement, thanked Pedati for her outstanding service throughout the pandemic. Reynolds gave Pedati a significant pay boost last year, for an annual salary of 265-thousand dollars. Kelly Garcia, the interim director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, says the work of the last 18 months has been difficult at best and Pedati’s personal sacrifice is to be commended.

Pedati was in the public spotlight at the beginning of the pandemic and spoke at many of the governor’s news conferences. However, it was Pedati’s boss who spoke for the agency during the governor’s most recent pandemic-related news conference.

Dr. Caitlin Pedati (File photo)

The IDPH says it will work quickly to fill the position.