The Florida Department of Health (DOH) was established by the Florida Legislature in 1996; however, public health has its roots in Florida dating back to 1888 with the creation of the Florida State Board of Health. In 2007, the first-ever “State Surgeon General” was established to spearhead the efforts of DOH, thereby designating a health officer to oversee all matters of public health. The Surgeon General’s role is to be the state’s leading advocate for wellness and disease prevention.

The Department is an executive branch agency, established in section 20.43, F.S. The Department is led by a State Surgeon General, who serves as the State Health Officer and is directly appointed by Florida’s Governor, and confirmed by Florida’s Senate. The Department has three deputy secretaries that oversee all of its business and programmatic operations.

For more information on the Florida Department of Health, please visit: http://www.floridahealth.gov/about-the-department-of-health/about-us/index.html