Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

DHSS is on the road! Director Sarah Willson and Josh Wymer are attending the HIMSS conference this week, a global exhibition of information technology in health fields. Josh, our Chief Health Information and Data Strategy Officer, presented on the state of Missouri's journey toward digital maturity in public health services today. What a fantastic opportunity to showcase where public health is heading in Missouri! #PublicHealth #HIMSS #HIMSS25 HIMSS Josh Wymer, DNP, MS, MA, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, CHCIO, CDH-E, CPDHTS, FHIMSS, FACHE, FAAN

For Black History Month, we are highlighting individuals who shaped public health. These are their names. These are their stories. Meet Henrietta Lacks, May Edward Chinn, Roscoe Conkling Brown Sr. and Ruth Ella Moore. Many advancements were made by these people or because of these people. Scroll through to learn a little more about each of them. #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM

Great news as we finish out the week: Sarah Willson was confirmed today as the Director of DHSS after an affirmative vote from the Gubernatorial Appointments Committee and the Missouri Senate! We are so thrilled to keep working together with Director Willson to keep Missourians healthy and safe.

LESS THAN A WEEK LEFT: Our team is recruiting members to apply for a statewide Direct Service Worker Advisory Panel! We are looking for three additional direct service workers to serve and share their experiences & needs because we know you are the backbone of the long-term services system. Meetings will be held every other month from March 2025 through early 2026. If you would like to join, please apply here by March 3: https://lnkd.in/gmnMJBsN.

Folks, let's remember these tips while we battle sniffles-season: ?? Wash your hands if you sneeze, cough or use a tissue ?? Sleeves are NOT tissues ?? Cough into your elbow ?? Stay home if you are sick #FluSeason #Sniffles #HowLittleKidsCough #StayHealthy

Pro tip

?? TOOTH TRIVIA: We all know that adults should see a dentist twice a year BUT do you know how often a child should go for a look-see?

?? Health hack! The ABCs of heart health can reduce your risk of heart disease. Missouri's Black/African American population had the highest death rates from heart disease, followed closely by American Indian and Alaskan Natives. ?? Aspirin therapy (for those who need it) ?? Blood pressure control ?? Cholesterol management ?? Smoking cessation Self-care for your heart is really self-care for your whole self. Moving more, preparing healthier meals and getting quality sleep helps our hearts too. This heart month, commit to being heart smart!

The doctor is in! ???? We got a question from a follower about identifying frostbite in people with darker skin tones. Our chief medical officer, Dr. Heidi Miller, breaks down the different ways frostbite can look and feel. Take note of any changes as they happen. Limit your time outside as much as possible during these dangerously low temperatures, and if you have any concerns, call a health care professional. Resources are linked on our page! ?????? #Frostbite #FrostbitePrevention #MoWx #Snow #Winter #WinterWeather #FollowerQuestion #TheDoctorIsIn

?? Missouri has several helpful resources to help you through the cold. We've collected those resources here (links below)! ?? MoDOT traveler map: Traveler.MoDOT.org ?? Warming Centers: https://lnkd.in/gKx3XF3D ?? Adult Abuse Hotline (report seniors or adults with disabilities who need help): https://lnkd.in/gUFby6m3 or 1-800-392-0210 ?? Hypothermia info: https://lnkd.in/g59bft_X