FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2013

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health (DOH) announced today the promotion of Kay Croy as its Bureau Chief in the Division of Emergency Preparedness and Community Support, Bureau of Preparedness and Response. Croy will be responsible for coordinating Florida's public health and healthcare system preparedness efforts and response to disasters of all types.

“Ms. Croy is an invaluable asset to the Department of Health’s emergency preparedness team,” said Interim Deputy Secretary for Health/Deputy State Health Officer for Children’s Medical Services, Dr. Dennis Cookro. “We are very pleased to have someone with her expertise leading the Bureau of Preparedness and Response.”

Croy joined the bureau in November of 2011 as the Medical Surge Program Administer and has most recently served as Interim Chief of the Bureau of Emergency Medical Oversight within the Division of Emergency Preparedness and Community Support, where she played an active role in Administrative Rule Workshops related to Florida’s Trauma System.

Prior to joining the Department of Health, Ms. Croy had more than 25 years’ experience working in hospital environments in senior leadership positions. Her expertise led to a key leadership role at Mt. Vernon Hospital in Alexandria, VA during the attack on the Pentagon in 2001. Additionally, Croy has extensive experience with hospital disaster response including serving as the Hospital Operations Section Chief during Hurricane Katrina and Rita responses. She oversaw the patient reception center for Katrina medical evacuees in Corpus Christi and led a 60 member team sent to augment staff at a sister facility in Beaumont TX following Hurricane Rita. During H1N1, Croy participated as part of the operational staff assigned to the Alternate Care Site set up at Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi, TX.

Croy received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from San Diego State University and her Master of Education degree from Georgia State University. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, The American College of Healthcare Executives, and received the Yellow Rose of Texas award for her efforts during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

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

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