FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2015

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Nichole Geary, J.D., as General Counsel, effective Aug. 21, 2015.

"Counselor Geary brings proven success as general counsel for a diverse healthcare company with nationwide interests," said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. "Her leadership and experience will promote the department's continuing excellence in health professional regulation, rule review, and county health office legal assistance."

Prior to joining the department, Geary was an associate at Broad and Cassel in West Palm Beach and provided regulatory guidance to healthcare organizations and healthcare professionals. Before this, she served as an associate at Rumberger, Kirk and Caldwell, where she specialized in issues related to corporate practice of medicine laws and FDA, FTC and HIPAA regulatory compliance. During law school, Geary interned with Honorable Frank A. Shephard in the Third District Court of Appeal, as well as with the Elder Law Clinic in Coral Gables. Between college and law school, she was a general manager for The LASIK Vision Institute in several locations around the country.

Geary received a bachelor's degree in Spanish literature from Knox College and a juris doctorate degree from University of Miami School of Law.

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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