Talken named Joplin Health Department Director

Ryan Talken has been named Director of the Joplin Health Department.

He previously served as Assistant Director.

Talken replaces Dan Pekarek who has moved to the position of assistant City Manager on a full-time basis.

Pekarek had been serving as Interim Health Department Director during the search for a replacement.

Talken has worked for the Joplin Health Department for 18 years.

For the last several months, he has been the Operations Manager for all the COVID-related activities in the Health Department for the Joplin Health Department.

Talken’s new position is effective as of today.