Craig Brace | Administrator/CEO
“Our promise is Client-First Care. From assisting you with environmental services or birth certificates to immunizations and maternal and children services, you are our priority.”— Craig Brace, FACHE, ACHD Administrator and CEO
Hi, my name is Craig Brace, I’m the Administrator and CEO of the Audrain County Health Department. I began my new role at the health department on November 2nd, 2020. I grew up pumping gas and changing oil at my dad’s gas station in Wellsville, Missouri, where I learned the importance of customer service.
I began my career in management as a teenager running two hay-hauling crews in Audrain and Montgomery Counties. Yes, I learned valuable management lessons from this experience. I’m a graduate of Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, MO. While attending SBU, I met my wife Lois, who is the Executive and Artistic Director of Presser Arts Center. We have lived in Mexico for more than three decades and have four adult children, one grandson, and one granddaughter.
I’m a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and board-certified in healthcare management. My mission statement is to be faithful to the resources and responsibilities entrusted to me by God in the service to others. My kids and grandchildren make me smile.
Jennie Beamer, Nurse Navigator/covid vaccine coordinator
Hello my name is Jennie Beamer. I was born and raised in Audrain County. My Husband and I live here in Mexico with our two daughters and miniature dachshund. I achieved my LPN license from MACC in 2012. Then went to Hannibal-LaGrange to obtain my RN license and graduated in 2017. I finished with my bachelors of science in nursing degree in 2019. I worked at Gamma Road Nursing home, Hannibal Clinic while going back to nursing school and then SSM/Noble Health once I became a Registered Nurse until it closed when I started at the Health Department in March. I have always loved serving this community and taking care of people I know.
Jodi Elliott | Public Health Educator/WIC Nutritionist
Hi, my name is Jodi Elliott. I grew up in Ralls County and graduated from Mark Twain in 2008. I went to college at MACC and then moved to Warrensburg and completed my bachelor’s degree in health studies with an emphasis in Community Health in 2012, at the University of Central Missouri.
I started my career at ACHD in April of 2013. After having my daughter in 2015, I knew I wanted to work more closely with babies/kids. In 2016, I moved into the role of WIC Nutritionist and fell in love with educating and helping families. Currently, I still have the role of a WIC Nutritionist but have also added School Education and the Car Seat Program to my duties. Although I grew up in Ralls County and still reside there, I have always enjoyed working with the Audrain County community.
ANA GARCIA/administrative support
Hello, my name is Ana Garcia. I have lived in the area for over 20 years. I previously worked at ACHD for three years but recently returned. I'm a Spanish/English community interpreter. I love working at our health department, serving and helping our community.
I'm the mother of two boys and an English bulldog. In my free time I love going for walks, riding my bike, reading poetry, thrift store shopping, writing, and yoga. I love going out for Indian food and spending time with friends and family.
If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would go to Oaxaca, Mexico and eat a big mouth watering tlayuda, travel across its coast to see it's glorious beaches, hike up the mountains to watch a beautiful sunset, delight my eyes in the vibrant colors of the local artist's handmade crafts, and walk down the stone streets reminiscing on what life was like in a place that cultivates its culture so vividly.
Something that makes me smile is the littles arms that hug me as they tell me, "I love you, mommy."
Greta Hopke | Registered Dietitian/Lactation SPECIALIST
Hi, my name is Greta Hopke and my favorite part of working at ACHD is working with families and seeing them improve their family’s nutrition by breastfeeding and eating healthier. If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would like to visit Alaska.
I like a lot of different foods, but I especially love roasted vegetables. I have two dogs and several chickens, and I love to garden and be active with my kids (walks, bike rides, swimming, playing sports, etc.). My family makes me smile.
Christina Jensen | Reception/Vital Records Registrar
Hi, my name is Christina and my favorite part of working at ACHD is working with the public because I love being around people and helping solve problems.
If I could travel anywhere in the world, it would be to Ireland or Sweden, because I would like to see the green rolling hills and meet some of my family that resides there.
I love to make decorative mesh wreaths, etch glass, and make virtually anything with my Cricut. My favorite meal is homemade pizza, I have a dog (husky/lab mix) named Turbo, and my favorite movie is Singing in the Rain. Something that makes me smile are my four sons, their wives, and my grandchildren.
Brandi Meyer | LPN/Immunization & lAB sERVICES Coordinator
Hi, my name is Brandi Meyer. I am a public health nurse at the Audrain County Health Department. I attended nursing school at Moberly Area Community College Advanced Technology Center. I graduated in 2003. During nursing school, my dad passed away and I took some time off after graduation to reassess where I wanted my path to go.
I began my job at Audrain County Health Department in September 2004 with no intention of making it a long-term career. 17 years later and I haven’t left. I am proud to serve Audrain County as the Immunization and Lab Services Program Lead. I married my high school sweetheart Jesse in 2004.
We have two children that keep us very busy. In my spare time, I love to read, try new recipes, and travel. My family and I find that our greatest memories come from the time we spend together in the simplest moments.
Chris Newbrough | Emergency Planner/Public Information Officer
Hi, my name is Chris Newbrough and my favorite part of working at ACHD is that, in my role as the Emergency Planner/Public Information Officer (PIO), I know I’m making a difference in people’s lives! Helping to plan and initiate the mass vaccination clinics we held in the winter into the Spring of 2021 and then seeing the smile and look of relief on the faces of those receiving their vaccines let me know that what I was doing was making a difference.
If I could travel anywhere in the world, I would like to go to Germany and tour the old sites of the Reformation.
My favorite kind of meal is Mexican, but I’m pretty bland because I don’t like anything spicy! If I had to choose a song to define my life, it’s going to be a song that very few have ever heard or remember. It’s by a group out of Kansas City called The Rainmakers that gained a small modicum of fame in the late 80s with their debut album. The song is actually off their second album “Tornado” and is called “Rainmaker”. It’s a song that pretty much summed up how I felt about life at the ripe ol’ age of 21 when I first heard the song and I’ve pretty much kept that outlook on life throughout the past 30-odd years. It’s a sardonic song about people and their expectations. Really, really cool wordplay that stuck with me through the years.
My wife and I have four fur-babies named Daisy, Marley, Hamlet, and Sassie. Daisy is a full-blooded Labrador Retriever, Marley is a Heinz 57, Hamlet is a Peek-A-Dach, which is half Pekingese, half Dachshund, and Sassie is a full-blooded Dachshund. My hobbies include reading (biographies, historical events, sports, and music); listening to music whenever I can, sports (watching, not playing), and spending time with my wife.
My favorite movies are Remember The Titans, Apollo 13, and Mississippi Burning. Something that makes me smile is sarcasm! No, seriously, most anything lighthearted but, I’d have to say my wife as well. She makes me smile daily.
Abbie O’Neal, Breastfeeding peer counselor
Hi, my name is Abbie O'Neal. I am a Breast Feeding Peer Counselor for the Audrain County Health Department.
My husband and I have lived in Mexico since 2020. The last few years prior to living in Mexico, I lived in St. Louis while I went to college at Maryville University. I received my Bachelor of Science in Management and Leadership with additional nursing and sign language classes in between. My husband and I have one daughter and hope to one day have a large family! We also have a German shepherd named Nala.
I was blessed to be able to breastfeed my daughter for 15+ months while facing just about every challenge during her first year. From that experience, my love for helping other moms meet their breastfeeding goals flourished. I am excited to help you, or your loved ones, learn about the benefits of breastfeeding
Sarah Palmer | Environmental Public Health Specialist II
Hi, my name is Sarah Palmer, and I love working at ACHD because I enjoy working with the community in which I live. Helping my ‘neighbors’ brings great joy to the soul.
My job provides a variety of opportunities where I get to encounter many Audrain County residents, and I am proud to work side-by-side with them. I enjoy being at home and I love the peace and quiet that gardening brings me.
My favorite meal is dinner, any food, as long as friends and family are there.
Kerry Patton, LPN, Maternal Child Health COORDINATOR
Hi, my name is Kerry Patton. I was born and raised in Mexico, MO. I achieved my LPN license from Moberly Area Community College in 2009. That same year I started my nursing career at the Audrain County Health Department as a Home Health and Hospice Nurse. In 2014, I became a Public Health Nurse and Maternal Child Health Coordinator.
I enjoy spending time with my husband, two adult children, grandchildren, and Yorkie Tucker. I am proud to be a nurse! Nursing is very rewarding! I love helping others bringing a positive impact to the community!
Katie Swaim | Registered Nurse/Communicable Disease COORDINATOR
Hi, my name is Katie Swaim. I grew up in Audrain County and went to nursing school at the University of Missouri’s Sinclair School of Nursing. I started my nursing career in 2008 at University Hospital in Pediatrics.
After starting a family I decided to take a position closer to home. In 2012, I started at the Audrain County Health Department as a Home Health & Hospice Case Manager. In 2014, when Home Health & Hospice ended for the Health Department, I was able to take a Public Health position.
I am now a public health nurse and the Health Department’s Communicable Disease Coordinator. My husband and I continue to live and raise our two children in Audrain County. As a nurse at our local health department, I enjoy being able to help people, especially those within my own community!
Becky Wieberg | Registered Nurse/CLINICAL SERVICES MANAGER AND WIC COORDINATOR
Hi, my name is Becky Wieberg, and my favorite part about working at ACHD is the diversity of the programs and people that we serve.
My favorite kind of food to eat for a meal is Mexican, and my favorite song is “Same Old Lang Syne” by Dan Fogelberg.
I have two cats, Mr. Puss Puss and Felix, and a dog named Gabby. Some of my hobbies include scrapbooking, adult coloring, and word find puzzles. My favorite TV series is Heartland on Netflix. Something that makes me smile every day is my family.
