Employees and members of the governing board of the Audrain County Health Department (ACHD) are mourning the passing today of Kay Dubbert, who passed away on Friday, July 19, 2024 after a brief illness.

Dubbert retired from the ACHD in August of 2014 after a 38-year career with the health department. She started in 1976 as a registered nurse at the health department before leaving in 2014 as the Associate Administrator and Director of Nurses. During that time, Dubbert made numerous positive impressions on employees, nursing students and the residents of Audrain County.

“We are in a state of shock at the moment about Kay’s passing,” ACHD Administrator and CEO Craig Brace said. “Kay was not only a nurse and a friend to many but, her nickname of ‘Mamma Kay’ reflects the kind of impact she had on people around her in her career and private life. She truly took those around her under her wing, helping them in a sort of motherly way achieve things in their career, and personal life, they may not have otherwise done. She will be sorely, sorely missed by many, including us here at the health department.”

Dubbert had her hand in many program formations and implementations at the ACHD during her nearly 40-year career. One of these included the first coordinated influenza vaccine program for county residents. Dubbert helped set up one of the first drive-thru clinics offered in the mid-Missouri area for the vaccine. Also, Dubbert had a large hand in putting together a Medicare-certified hospice program providing end-of-life care to all those patients in a 30-mile radius of Mexico.

In May of this year, Dubbert was selected as the second recipient of the William “Bill” Johnson Advocate for Public Health Award, given to those who exemplify a love for public health in Audrain County. She was presented with the award at a public ceremony in May.

“All you have to do is look at Kay’s impact on public health in Audrain County through the years to see the impression she made,” Brace concluded. “That type of impact is irreplaceable, but we will continue to honor Kay’s legacy here at the ACHD by continuing to advocate for the public health of the residents of Audrain County the way she did. We’d just like to say thanks to her for her many years of selfless dedication to the betterment of others. It will not be forgotten.”

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31 at the Arnold Funeral Home in Mexico. Memorial Services will follow visitation at 7 p.m. Private entombment will be in the East Lawn Memorial Park.