Joan Seidel, MA, BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC

Joan Seidel is the commissioner for health at Kent City Health Department. Seidel felt a calling to become a nurse. She received her BSN from Kent State University School of Nursing. In her 33 years as a nurse she has worked in renal, hepatic and pancreas transplantation, critical care, health education, school nursing, infection prevention, and starting in October of 2019 became the health commissioner for the Kent City Health Department. She was certified as a critical care nurse and maintains her certification as an infection preventionist. Seidel was inducted in the inaugural class of Fellows in Infection Prevention. Seidel has volunteered for her local Association of Professionals in Infection Prevention and Control (APIC) in many positions, including serving as president. She also volunteered for the Board of Health holding the position of vice president. She has been a mentor to nursing and public health students as well as a preceptor for new hired nurses. She has served on multiple committees, coauthored several articles, and presented several research posters at national conventions. Seidel obtained her Master of Arts from Hiram College and her 200-level training as a yoga instructor from Brahmrishi School of Yoga and Philosophy.