County officials and community leaders greeted the new Washington County Public Health Director Wednesday during an open house hosted by the department and Board of Health.

Emily Tokheim, née Houston, started in the position on Monday, getting to know the department staff and training with the help of Jefferson County Public Health Director Chris Estle and Fiscal Administrator Peggy Wood. Tokheim tells KCII that the people of Washington County she’s met so far have matched the positive descriptions she received during the hiring process, and she’s enjoyed putting faces to familiar names, “And getting to meet some people that maybe I won’t get to work with everyday but will be a very valuable partner going forward. I was just talking with the county engineer just a few moments ago and he pointed out we don’t work everyday together but that’s good. When we work together it’s probably in some emergency situation and so it’s great to form that connection, form that relationship and get to have some communication with him. And then move forward and just know that we have that foundation there and supporting each other as department heads.”

Tokheim says she looks forward to working with Estle as she is working for the county through a 28E agreement through December 31st, and to have her as a mentor in the future. Tokheim holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in public health from the University of Iowa. Originally from Panora, she currently resides with her husband in Coralville.