The four candidates seeking three seats on the Moniteau County Health Center Board are passionate about their ideas on how to improve health care in the county.
The four candidates seeking the three two-year terms on the April 2 ballot are incumbents Judy Bolinger, Carlene Petree and Carol Jungmeyer, and challenger Tim O'Connor.
"Being a retired nurse, it's interesting to see the variety of things being offered to the county," Jungmeyer said. She cited the amount of educational resources the county may access through the center.
Jungmeyer's medical resume spans several decades from when she first became a nurse in 1957. Her career saw her rise the ranks to be a registered nurse for Memorial Community Hospital, where was worked in the intensive care unit for 26 years. In 2001, she retired from Verizon Data Services, where she processed Missouri state Medicaid claims.
Incumbent Bolinger she would like to help keep the community stay up-to-date on any bacterial or viral outbreaks and other unusual situations that may arise.
"The Health Center does a great job of keeping up on any current issues," Bolinger said. "Whether it be illnesses or water contamination. It's important to remember that some errors that are made can affect the entire community."
When she is not serving on the health center's board of trustees, she works as a community registered nurse at the Moniteau County SB40 Board.
Challenger O'Connor said he wants to reach out to Moniteau County veterans to inform them on the variety of benefits and information that are available.
"I know veterans are owed health benefits that they aren't getting or don't know how to get them," he said.
Having served in the U.S. Army Reserves in the late '80s and early '90s, he said he understands the benefits and other incentives available for veterans.
O'Connor, a Saint Louis native, graduated with his medical degree from the University of Missouri. The pediatrician said he can also offer advice for younger clients at the health center.
Efforts to reach incumbent Petree for this story were unsuccessful.