August 07, 2006

Genesis Physician Named To Iowa Board Of Health

DAVENPORT, Iowa –  Genesis Health Group pediatrician Gregory Garvin, D.O., has been appointed to a three-year term on the Iowa Board of Health by Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack.

Dr. Garvin has been actively involved in public health issues at the county, state and national levels. The Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association recommended Garvin to the governor for appointment.

The Iowa Board of Health is the policy-making body for the Iowa Department of Public Health. The board has the power and responsibility to adopt rules and regulations and advises and makes public health recommendations to the governor, legislature and the director of public health.

Dr. Garvin has been a member of the Scott County Board of Health since 1993 and has served a number of state appointments, including membership on the Iowa Perinatal Advisory Committee, the Center for Inherited Disorders of the Iowa Department of Public Health and the physicians advisory committee of the Hawk-I Program.

Dr. Garvin has served as national president of the American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians and was president of the Scott County Medical Society in 1995.

"Pediatricians, as a group, usually have an interest in public health and a primary care focus on preventative health care and immunizations,’’ Dr. Garvin said. "When I look at the needs of children in Iowa, I believe we have many who are underserved and underinsured.

"Many times children in Iowa are underserved because they are in single-parent homes, they have young parents and they have parents who are not adequately insured. I’ve always had an interest in helping in that area.

"If you aren’t at the table trying to make a difference, you can’t have as much of an impact. I can accomplish more by serving in addition to seeing my young patients in the office.’’

Dr. Garvin has been practicing in Davenport since 1979. He is a graduate of Bettendorf High School, Tulane University and the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Mo. He is a past-chairman of pediatrics at Genesis Medical Center, Davenport and has served as acting medical director of the Genesis Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Dr. Garvin’s late mother was the director of nursing at Davenport Osteopathic Hospital for many years.

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