FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH UNVEILS CHIEF OF STAFF

- Kim Barnhill to Integrate Legislative Planning, Communications and Performance Improvement Across DOH-

TALLAHASSEE – State Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong announced today Kim Barnhill, MS, M.P.H, as Chief of Staff for the Florida Department of Health (DOH), beginning July 25.  Ms. Barnhill brings with her extensive experience spearheading county health departments and public health initiatives, including overseeing dual county health departments, directing preventive dental programs for over three dozen counties and previously serving as DOH’s Director of Statewide Services. Ms. Barnhill will supervise and bolster the initiatives of the Offices of Legislative Planning, Communications, and Performance Improvement.

“I am confident that the dynamic leadership of Ms. Barnhill, very recently named Florida’s Outstanding Woman in Public Health for 2012 by the University of South Florida, will be just that—outstanding,” said Dr. John Armstrong. “Her background in directing county health departments and prowess in fostering public health improvement will play an influential role in continuing to have our Department reach legislative, communication and performance milestones.”

Ms. Barnhill became Director of Statewide Services in 2000, providing management and planning for all 67 county health departments in the state. In 2002, she was selected to serve as the Administrator for the Madison and Jefferson County Health Departments, both rural health departments. She has led several successful initiatives, including the health Related Careers and College Fairs, increased access to dental services, and linking of key public health principles to improve access to physical activity opportunities in these counties.

Earlier in Ms. Barnhill’s career, she directed dental care preventive program for 37 counties, provided consultation for 106 community fluoridation programs, managed the development of new programs and assisted in conducting and analyzing needs assessment surveys. As the director of volunteer services starting in 1996, Ms. Barnhill was instrumental in tapping into the local community volunteer service providers to form volunteer teams to meet the needs of uninsured Floridians. Now considered a model program, the Volunteer Health Care Provider Program currently provides more than $1 billion in donated health services.

Ms. Barnhill graduated cum laude from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in health education and a master’s degree in adult education (gerontology). She has served as a member of the board of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, a member of board for the National Public Health Foundation, Big Bend Learning Coalition, Apalachee Services, and the Community Traffic Safety Team. She is currently chair of the Big Bend Rural Health Network. She is a member of the FSU Masters of Public Health Advisory Council, a liaison to the U.S. Taskforce on Community Preventive Services, the Jefferson County Legislative Committee, and a member of the Florida Public Health Association. She has been an active member of the Florida Association of County Health Officers, serving as president in 2008 and currently serving as a board member at large.

Ms. Barnhill was honored as Florida’s Outstanding Woman in Public Health for 2012 at an awards ceremony on April 4, 2012. The Florida Outstanding Woman in Public Health Award was initiated by USF in 1988, and nominations are solicited from public health practitioners across the state. The College bestows the award each year to a woman whose career accomplishments and leadership have contributed significantly to the field of public health in Florida.

The Florida Department of Health’s mission is to protect and promote the health of all residents and visitors in the state through organized state and community efforts, including cooperative agreements with counties. For more information about County Health Departments, visit the public health services website.

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