February 14, 2017

Donna Walsh Named Health Officer for DOH-Seminole

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
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Tallahassee, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Donna J. Walsh as the Health Officer for the Department of Health in Seminole County. Ms. Walsh had previously served as Acting Health Officer for DOH-Seminole from July 2012-April 2013 and from September 2014-November 2014. In August 2014 she was promoted to Assistant Health Officer where she helped manage the department’s operations until August 2016 when she again stepped into the role of Acting Health Officer. She first started at DOH-Seminole as a community health nurse in 1986.

“Ms. Walsh has an excellent and diverse background in all aspects of public health and has demonstrated her ability as a skilled leader,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. Celeste Philip. “I believe Donna will continue to be an asset to the Florida Department of Health and Seminole County as its new health officer.”

 A 30-year veteran of the private and public health sector, Donna began her career as a nurse for Humana Hospital in Orlando and shortly thereafter started her career with the Florida Department of Health. She has served as a community health nurse for both DOH-Seminole and DOH-Orange. From 1993 to 1994, Donna worked for Children’s Medical Services, a role in which she performed clinical services as a charge nurse and case manager. She went back to DOH-Orange in February of 1994 and filled a variety of roles as a nurse specialist and supervisor in the clinical and community areas.

Donna earned her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Central Florida, having previously received her bachelor’s in science in nursing from the same institution. Donna has authored and co-authored several academic publications and has conducted more than 50 professional trainings and presentations. She has received a number of awards throughout her career, including the 2015 Public Service Excellence Award from the Central Florida Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration and the 2014 Leader of the Year from DOH-Seminole. In 2015, she was recognized by the Douglas William YMCA Family Center as the Volunteer of the Year.

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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