Iowa Gov.-elect Terry Branstad appointed former Congressional candidate Mariannette Miller-Meeks as the head of the Iowa Department of Public Health Thursday.

Miller-Meeks, the first female faculty member in the University of Iowa ophthalmology department, will head the agency that works with local health organizations, lawmakers, and health-care providers to educate Iowa citizens on health.

"I am honored to have been chosen by Gov. Branstad and Lt.-Gov.-elect Reynolds to head the Iowa Department of Public Health," said Miller-Meeks in a press release.

— by Regina Zilbermints