Nola Aigner Davis
Public health communications officer
Polk County Health Department
Age: 35
Partner: Jason Davis, husband
Mentor: Helen Eddy, director, Polk County Health Department
Why she’s a Forty: Nola is spearheading a “Train the Trainer” program to educate ethnic community-based organizations about the COVID-19 vaccine. She serves as public health communications officer for the Polk County Health Department, where she has participated in over 200 media interviews on national, state and local platforms discussing the COVID-19 pandemic. Nola has been an adjunct instructor since 2011. She teaches at Buena Vista University and Mercy College of Health Sciences. Nola is the president of Dream Catchers Foundation Inc., a member of Junior League of Des Moines, an events committee member for Community Youth Concepts and a board member of the Safeguard Iowa Partnership.
What are your goals in your role at your company?
At the Polk County Health Department, I am responsible for developing communication and education initiatives to improve the health and safety of our county. This work can only be achieved through cultivating and sustaining relationships with our residents, community organizations, media, government, business partners and health care systems.
What are your goals for your community involvement?
I strive to make Polk County a better community for future generations. I do this by educating communication and health professionals and participating in community organizations to improve the lives of women, youth and refugees. Each small step we take can produce monumental positive changes.
What's your biggest passion, and why?
I am passionate about public health. We face many new public health crises and initiatives that impact the places where we live, work and play. I love being a part of a team that offers creative ideas and implements changes to keep our community healthy and happy.
What is it that drives you?
Our community needed honest and accurate information about the COVID-19 pandemic. PCHD was the source to turn to for prevention strategies, helped calm fears and provided hope for a healthier future. The pandemic has forever changed the way I communicate with the community and the health information we share.
What are your future aspirations?
In my role, I’ve had the privilege to educate our refugee and immigrant communities about diverse health topics through training and learning programs. I would love to continue to grow these programs to enhance relationships with our ethnic community-based organizations.
Three hobbies: My husband and I love spending time with our dog, Bodie. This includes lots of walks and playing fetch. When the weather is warm, we love exploring new bike trails. There is nothing better than a good book. I try to read as many as I can!
Fun fact: Nola has been an adjunct instructor for almost 10 years. Her students’ success continues to fuel her love for learning. She says it’s the best part-time job a person can have.
ONE word: Vibrant.
What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community?
My wish for our community is one of inclusiveness. Everyone has an equal opportunity for education, housing, employment and health care. We need to stop defining each other by demographic characteristics, but by everyone's dignity as a person.
Anything else you haven't addressed that people must know about you?
Helping to make the lives better for refugees and immigrants living in Polk County has been a passion of mine. My role at the health department has allowed me to create and develop educational opportunities for our ethnic community-based organizations through training programs and learning circles. In my role as Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa health subcommittee chair, I work with individuals providing direct and nondirect services to refugees that discuss gaps in the health community and figure out ways to solve them. It is our job to create a community that is inviting and inclusive for all.