Joseph Salvador Palm

In 2022, Joseph was appointed by President Joseph R. Biden as the Regional Director for Region 7 of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which encompasses the states of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa and 9 federally recognized tribes. In addition, recently he was also appointed the Regional Director for HHS Region 2, which encompasses the states of New York and New Jersey and the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, in addition to 8 federally recognized tribes.

Previously, from 2009-22, Joseph was the Chief of the Office of Minority Health, for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MODHSS). As the Chief, Joseph was the key advisor to the MODHSS Director on various health matters that affected minorities; he also served as a liaison to the Missouri General Assembly while also working with statewide local public health agencies and elected officials. Joseph ran the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) funded opioid and homicide prevention program, and he also ran the COVID-19 mobile testing and vaccination sites across the State of Missouri. In addition, Joseph worked on the ground during the Ferguson, Joplin, and various Missouri major flood daily recovery operations.

Prior to working for MODHSS, Joseph worked as the Assistant to the Chief of Staff in the City of Saint Louis Mayor’s Office, as a Legislative Researcher in the Missouri State Capitol, and as an assistant to the Chief of Staff in the Missouri 1st Congressional District Office. Joseph began his career as a firefighter for the City of Saint Louis in Missouri, and he continues to live by the motto “Seeking Opportunities To Serve-STLFD!”

Joseph is a native to the City of Saint Louis, Missouri, although his family roots are in Homestown, Missouri (The Bootheel). He received his Associates Degree from Forest Park Community College, and Bachelor of Communications Studies, and master’s degree in Public Health from Saint Louis University.