Polk County Health Services has hired Elizabeth “Liz” Cox as its executive director. Cox is currently executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa. She also serves on the West Des Moines School Board as vice president. Kevin Crowley, president of Polk County Health Services’ board, said Cox was selected after an extensive search process. “We will be working with Liz and PCA of Iowa to bring an orderly transition for both organizations,” he said in a release. Cox is a fellow with the National Leadership Academy for the Public’s Health and has her Master of Business Administration from the Tippie School of Business at the University of Iowa. During her tenure with PCA of Iowa, she has helped the organization become a leader in innovative children’s mental health treatment, Crowley said. The Polk County Board of Supervisors created Polk County Health Services in 1976 to develop and oversee a local network of services and support for people who have disabilities.