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We serve the city of Columbia and surrounding communities within Boone County, Missouri as a nationally accredited public health department through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB).
Optimal health, safety, and well-being for all.
To promote and protect the health, safety, and well-being of the community.
This video can help explain our role.
This press release can help explain.
Stephanie Browning became the Columbia/Boone County Director of Public Health on July 1, 1999. During her tenure as Director, she has led the department to become a nationally accredited public health agency providing comprehensive, evidence-based, diverse programs and services aligned with the department’s vision of “optimal health, safety, and well-being for all.” The department’s services available to residents of the City of Columbia and Boone County include Communicable Disease Control and Prevention; Epidemiology and Planning; Clinical Preventive Services; Public Health Nursing; Environmental Health; Animal Control; Human/Social Services; Health Promotion Services; Vital Records; and WIC.
Browning previously worked for the Yuma County Health Department in Yuma, Arizona. In 1988, Browning established the first HIV/AIDS program for the county which included HIV counseling and testing, disease surveillance, disease investigation, contact tracing, community education, and case management. In 1992, she was promoted to the position of deputy director. During her tenure as deputy director, she was responsible for oversight of all department programs, including bi-national efforts for TB Prevention and Control and a Community Health Worker initiative to improve birth outcomes for pregnant women.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Education from the University of Central Arkansas, with graduate studies in Public Health from the University of Arizona, and is a National Public Health Leadership Scholar University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Browning has been actively involved in Missouri’s public health system, serving on numerous statewide committees working to improve Missouri’s public health system, including statewide planning task forces for pandemic flu and altered standards of care.
She is actively involved with the Missouri Association of Local Public Health Agencies. Her involvement includes serving as board member 2000 – present; vice chair 2004 – 2005; chair 2006 – 2007; past chair 2008 – 2010; Workforce Development and Education Committee chair 2011 – present.