Rebecca Roesslet named next Columbia health department director

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Rebecca Roesslet has been named the next director of the Columbia/ Boone County Public Health and Human Services, according to a Monday press release from the City of Columbia.

Roesslet, who has served as the assistant director of the department, will be sworn in at the Oct. 7 City Council meeting. She was named to the position following the announcement of PHHS Director Stephanie Browning’s retirement. The release says Browning will retire Oct. 11. 

"I am honored to take responsibility for this department that works so diligently to provide essential services to residents," Roesslet said in the release. "My work at PHHS has been incredibly rewarding, and I look forward to continuing that in this new role."

The release says Roesslet has worked at the health department since 2003 and has served as a social services specialist, social services supervisor, senior planner, planning unit supervisor and assistant director. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master’s degree in public health from the University of Missouri, the release says.

"Rebecca has brought years of passion to her work protecting the health of Boone County residents," City Manager De’Carlon Seewood said in the release. "Through her experience working during the COVID-19 pandemic and many other challenges over the years, she has proven herself as an effective and fervent leader."