Session Description: Iowa HHS Director of Behavioral Health, Marissa Eyanson, and Aaron Todd, CEO of the Iowa Primary Care Association, will share information and updates about Iowa’s work to transform the delivery of behavioral health services and build a true safety net to address the behavioral health needs of all Iowans.

Learning Objectives:

• Improve understanding of upcoming changes for Iowa’s behavioral health service system.

Marissa Eyanson
Director, Division of Behavioral Health, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services

Marissa has worked with the Iowa Department of Human Services since 2018. Prior to stepping into her current role, she served as the policy director for Iowa Medicaid, where she led program management and policy development across the full spectrum of Iowa’s Medicaid program. Throughout her career, Marissa has focused on leveraging systems and teams to achieve high quality outcomes. She has led improvements in organizational structure, managed programs, and developed policy by building strong partnerships, articulating clear vision and aligning to purpose. She is committed to building successful teams and to strengthening relationships that will improve systems and services that ensure that all individuals and families have an opportunity to succeed. Marissa is a life-long small-town Iowan and graduate of Iowa State University. She and her husband have two children and enjoy time spent with family, their pets, and travelling.

Aaron Todd, MHCDS, MPP
CEO, Iowa Primary Care Association

Aaron Todd has served as a senior leader of the Iowa Primary Care Association, INConcertCare, and IowaHealth+ since 2015 and Chief Executive Officer since 2019. Aaron leads a dedicated, innovative team working to support the evolution of a statewide, integrated, community-health-focused safety net system of care. Previously, Aaron served in various roles in Iowa’s Executive and Legislative branches, including serving as a senior advisor on healthcare and behavioral health policy and funding. Prior to his work in healthcare policy and operations, Aaron’s career focused on economic and community development, a passion of his that he now pursues through service with nonprofit organizations and government commissions. Aaron currently serves on the boards of directors of OCHIN, National Association of Community Health Centers, Primary Care Leadership Council, and Greater Des Moines Supportive Housing. Aaron earned a Master of Health Care Delivery Science from Dartmouth College, Master in Public Policy from Rutgers University, and a Bachelor of Science from Iowa State University.