The Board of Trustees meets at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month.
Notice: To request accommodations (i.e. qualified interpreter, large print, hearing assistance) needed to attend a meeting, please notify this office at 816.858.2412.
Policy Regarding Public Comments at Board Meetings
Email public comments to the Board of Trustees (Must include name and Platte County residence address or Platte County business address)
The Platte County Health Department board of trustees is an unpaid, at-large, elected board comprised of a board chair, vice chair, treasurer, secretary and a board member. Board members are elected to four-year terms as described in Chapter 205.031 RSMo. The board of trustees is the governing and policy-making body of the Platte County Health Department. The board oversees department functions and sets policy. The health department is responsible for a disease prevention, health promotion and ensuring the health of all Platte County residents and visitors.
A roster of the Board of Trustees and brief bios follow:
Board Chair
Dr. Jeffrey Kingsley, MD, MS
(term expires April, 2024)
Dr. Kingsley is married with three children and lives in Platte County. He is a Board-certified Pediatrician and Neonatal/Pediatric Hospitalist who provides care for babies in a Level 2 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, attends difficult deliveries, admits children to the Pediatric Ward, and is a consultative service for the Emergency Department.
Dr. Kingsley's educational background includes a Medical Degree, Master’s Degree in Anatomy/Neuroembryology, and Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. His medical training is in Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases, and Critical Care. His research background is in the fields of both hearing development and HIV treatment. Dr. Kingsley is a published author of many articles in peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals.
Vice Chair
Dr. Michael Shafe, MD
(term expires April, 2026)
Dr. Shafé has been a Platte County resident from 1984-1999 and 2006-present. He is married to Dr. Heather Isom, MD, an emergency physician, and they have four boys. He is board certified in emergency medicine.
He received a bachelor's degree in biology from Baylor University, Medical Doctorate from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, and emergency medicine training at the University of Louisville. He has served as an assistant professor of emergency medicine and medical director of the ER at MCG Medical Center, now Augusta University. He has been a nationally recognized subject matter expert in ED operations and efficiency, lectured on various subjects at the American College of Emergency Physicians national meeting, published in peer review journals and authored several chapters in textbooks on emergency medicine. He has opened and operated multiple urgent care centers in the Kansas City area and continues to practice emergency medicine.
In addition to being elected as a Board of Trustee member in 2023, he has served as a Board Member for the Platte County Board of Services for the developmentally disabled since 2015.
Treasurer
Susan Cole, BSN, RB
(term expires April, 2026)
Susan Cole has lived in Platte County for 30 years. She is married and has 2 grown children. Ms. Cole graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1980. She worked hospital nursing for almost 20 years in the areas of Cardiac Nursing, Infection Control, Employee Health and Nursing Management. Her recent nursing experience is in School Nursing with the Park Hill School District. Ms. Cole was the Nurse at Park Hill High School for 14 years and presently is a substitute nurse for the district. As a school nurse, she has collaborated with the Platte County Health Department in many aspects including immunizations, health care and health education. Ms. Cole enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, playing piano, watching spectator sports, attempting to golf and serving her community. This is Ms. Cole's first 4-year term on the Board of Trustees.
Secretary
Kim Swaney
(term expires April, 2026)
Kim is a lifelong Platte County resident with three children and three grandchildren. She has a bachelor of science in Criminal Justice and Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Prior to her nursing career, Kim work as a Deputy Juvenile officer for the Platte County Juvenile Court. During Kim’s 20 + years in nursing, her experience includes inpatient nursing, public health, community health nursing, care coordination and outpatient clinic management. She holds certifications in wound and ostomy care through the VA of Eastern Kansas and Cleveland clinic and is considered a nurse specialist in complex wound care. In her spare time, Kim enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, traveling and exploring the outdoors.
Board Member
Dr. R. Kent Jackson, DVM
(term expires April, 2024)
Dr. Kent Jackson has lived in Platte County since 1968. He attended the University of Missouri in Columbia where he obtained his degree in Veterinary Medicine in 1976. Dr. Jackson owns and operates Jackson Animal Clinic in Platte City. He has promoted public health as a member of the Health Department's Board of Trustees and through promotion of the health of his veterinary patients.