FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 18, 2013

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

TALLAHASSEE—State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong today appointed Ms. Winnie Holland, MPH, MA, LMHC, to serve as the Clay County Health Department (CCHD) Director, effective Feb. 1. Ms. Holland will oversee all public health efforts of CCHD and coordinate such programs as communicable diseases, environmental health and epidemiology. She is currently the Administrator of the Bradford and Union County Health Departments and has more than 30 years of public health experience.

“Ms. Holland brings a wealth of public health experience to Clay County,” said Dr. Armstrong. “She has taken the hand-off from Nancy Mills with gusto and will be a wonderful leader in health for the community.”

Prior to her work in Bradford and Union Counties, she spent time in the Okeechobee, Hendry and Glades County health departments in several leadership roles. Ms. Holland began her public health career as a disease control field worker interviewing, investigating and conducting follow-up on individuals with sexually transmitted diseases. Since the start of her public health career 30 years ago, Ms. Holland has worked with immunization programs, primary care programs, health education and advocacy initiatives, Medicaid training, tuberculosis control, tobacco prevention, teen pregnancy prevention program and served as a mental health counselor.

Ms. Holland received her master’s degree in mental health counseling from Florida Gulf Coast University and her master’s degree in public health in Epidemiology from the University of South Florida.

Current CCHD Director Nancy J. Mills, MPA, CPHA, will retire from her distinguished career in public health on Jan. 31. Mrs. Mills has served as the Clay County Administrator since 2004, and has continuously improved quality and efficiency of services. She first introduced in Florida a text messaging system to notify Clay county residents of important health issues, which garnered her several accolades, including a Best in the Nation achievement award in the health category from the National Counties Association, a Davis Productivity Award, and a Promising Practice award from the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

DOH protects, promotes and improves the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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