January 4, 2017

Paul Myers Appointed Deputy Secretary for County Health Systems

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
(850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health (DOH) announced Paul D. Myers as the Deputy Secretary for County Health Systems. He is assuming the role from Kim Barnhill, who is retiring. As Deputy Secretary, Mr. Myers will oversee the directors and administrators of the state’s 67 county health departments.

“I am pleased Paul has agreed to continue his service to the people of Florida in this new capacity,” said Surgeon General and Secretary Dr. Celeste Philip. “His nearly 30 year career with the department demonstrates his steadfast commitment to the health and safety of our local communities. This combined with his experience and leadership talent makes me confident in appointing Paul to this position.”

Mr. Myers most recently has been serving concurrently as the Acting Deputy Secretary for County Health Systems and as administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County (DOH-Alachua). Paul will continue to serve as health officer in DOH-Alachua. 

Paul started at DOH-Alachua in 1988 as an environmental health inspector, was promoted to an environmental supervisor in 1994, and then became the environmental health and epidemiology director in 2000. In 2008, he became the assistant administrator for DOH-Alachua until becoming administrator in 2012. He also served as interim administrator for DOH-Gadsden in 2011 and Interim Deputy Secretary for Statewide Services in 2014.

Mr. Myers has a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts and sciences and a Master’s of Science degree in environmental engineering, both from the University of Florida. He is an active member and contributor to the State of Florida Rabies Advisory Committee, the University of Florida’s Public Health External Advisory Committee, serves as the Health and Medical Co-Chair for the Regional Domestic Security Task Force (RDSTF) for Region 3, chair of the North Central Florida County Health Department Consortium and member of the North Central Florida Health Care Coalition.

The department extends its gratitude to Kim Barnhill who previously held this role for her leadership and commitment to advancing public health in Florida.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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