Mr Adams, who has also led Whanganui's Grey Power organisation and Ratepayers Association, said he had been following health board issues closely in recent months - "and there is a lot of information to deal with".
He served one term as a health board member from 2004. "Then I got dumped and I've been licking my wounds ever since."
Only one health board member was unseated in Saturday's election, with Ray Stevens losing his position, while Kate Joblin and Allan Anderson had both resigned from the board at the end of the term.
Whanganui District Health Board
ANNETTE MAIN Elected 4169
CHARLIE ANDERSON Elected 2958
PHILIPPA BAKER-HOGAN Elected 2848
JUDITH MacDONALD Elected 2496.51
GRAHAM ADAMS Elected 2474.49
JENNY DUNCAN Elected 2472.08
STUART HYLTON Elected 2336.57
-----------------
RAY STEVENS Excluded 2210.75
KIRITAHI FIRMIN Excluded 1557.02
ROB VINSEN Excluded 1220.25
CHRISTIE TEKI Excluded 1039.62
SUSAN OSBORNE Excluded 838.38
WENDY STANBROOK-MASON Excluded 762.07
RANGI WILLS Excluded 632.04
NGAIRE ELLWOOD Excluded 402.31