Board of Health & Welfare

The Board of Health and Welfare helps guide the department as it promotes and protects the public health and well-being of Idaho residents.

The board is a rulemaking and advisory body that can adopt, amend, or repeal rules and standards of the department. Executive and administrative powers of the department belong solely to the director of the department.

The board's seven citizen members are appointed by the governor and each represent one of seven geographic regions of the state. They are the voting members of the board. The board also includes the department director, a representative from the governor's office, and the chairs of the Health and Welfare committees in the Idaho Legislature.

Public Comment

Members of the public are invited to comment on proposed rules, which are published in the Administrative Bulletin. Comments are carefully reviewed by board members before they make a final decision on an issue.

All board meetings are open to the public, as stipulated by Idaho's Open Meeting law. Anyone who wants to discuss an issue directly with the board at a regular meeting may request time on the agenda at least 30 days before the meeting.

A distant view of a gorge and waterfall in Idaho
Board of H&W Annual Report
View the annual report for the Board.
Department of Health & Welfare
Pete T. Cenarrusa Building
Address

450 W. State St.
Boise, ID 83720
United States

Board members
Board Members Address Phone/Fax Region Appointed Term Expires
Tom Stoeser (R)

4752 W. Riverbend Ave.
Post Falls, ID 83854

W - 208-773-6745
C - 208-699-2700

1 11/01/2022 02/12/2027
Wendy Jaquet (D), vice-chair

PO Box 783
Ketchum, ID 83340

H - 208-726-3100 5 01/31/2013

01/01/2025

Debbie Hetherington (R) 451 N. Alto Via Court
Boise, ID 83712
C - 208-961-3200 4 01/16/2023 01/16/2027
Timothy Rarick, PhD (R), chair 283 Rebecca Ave
Rexburg, ID 83440
W - 208-496-4034
C - 208-206-0004
7 03/08/2018 01/01/2025

Chad Henggeler  (R)

5675 Sunset Road
Fruitland, ID 83619

H – 208-452-3605
C – 208-412-5076

3 02/17/2021 01/01/2023
Dr. Dan Schmidt (D)

267 Circle Dr.
Moscow, ID 83843

C: 509-336-1436

2 02/15/23  
Linda Hatzenbuehler, PHD (D) 306 S. 7th Ave.
Pocatello, ID 83201
H - 208-232-6998
C - 208-221-6306
6 1/16/2018 02/12/2023
David Jeppesen, DHW director, secretary 450 West State St. 10th Floor
Boise, ID 83720-0036
W - 208-334-5500   01/07/2019  
Sen. Julie VanOrden

425 S. 1100 W.
Pingree, ID 83262

H - 208-6844052
W - 208-332-1346
District 30 12/1/2022  
Rep. John Vander Woude

5311 Ridgewood Road
Nampa, ID 83687

H - 208-888-4210
W - 208-332-1037
District 22 12/1/2022  
Sara Stover Idaho State Capitol Building
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720
W - (208) 334-2100      
Department of Health & Welfare Staff
Lisa Hettinger
Deputy director
Phone
Miren Unsworth
Deputy director
Phone
Jennifer Palagi
Deputy director
Address

United States

Phone
Chelsea Kidney
Deputy Attorney General
Phone
Niki Forbing-Orr
Public Information Manager
Phone
Lynn Overman
Liaison to the Board
Phone
Meeting information
       

November 10, 2022.

For 2023: Feb. 16, May 18, Aug. 17, and Nov. 9

Meeting dates are subject to change in accordance with Idaho open meetings law.

Meeting dates are generally set in the November meeting for the next year. 

Meeting Agendas Meeting Minutes Other Board Materials