Donna Seidel - Keeping the public healthy

Donna Seidel
Donna Seidel

Donna Seidel has been a nurse for nearly 19 years.

Prior to joining the Cole County Health Department as assistant director of nursing a little more than a year ago, she worked part time in a doctor's office for nearly 12 years while her children were young.

"I always thought I'd like to work at the health department," she said. "You don't realize how much we impact the community, whether we're immunizing children or STD testing. We also do a lot of education, helping them change their lives for the better."

Seidel has assisted health department staff in an accreditation process and has helped the department transition to an electronic medical record.

"I've helped with updating practices and fine-tuning," she said.

She also is the backup communicable disease and tuberculosis nurse, works in all of the various clinics and fills in for other duties.

She has an associate's degree in nursing and is on track to earn her bachelor's degree in December.

She said the Cole County Health Department is there for individuals who may not have access to care because of a lack of insurance.

"We have a walk-in clinic, but we're not an urgent care," she said. "We don't treat."

She said the clinic offers services such as diabetic education and family planning visits for women. Dietitians from Jefferson City's two hospitals also teach classes.

"We're here to impact the health of the community," Seidel said.

She loves that her position allows her to do a little bit of everything.

"I get to do nursing, administrative duties and also get to work with clients," she said.