Nov. 10, 2015

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SALUTES SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN ON VETERANS DAY

Contact:
Communications Office
NewsMedia@flhealth.gov
(850) 245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health honors and supports veterans, members of the military and their families on Veterans Day. More than 1.5 million veterans call Florida home, many of whom have served during wartime. In recognition of Florida's veteran health care professionals, State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong has released a special Veterans Day video message. The department has also published the second annual Florida Veteran Health Heroes.

"The department recognizes the selfless service of our military men, women, and families," said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. "We will continue working to make licensure for veterans a reflection of our profound gratitude."

The 2015 Florida Veteran Health Heroes include Major General of the Florida National Guard Michael Calhoun, R. Ph., former State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Harry Frank Farmer Jr., MD, Maureen Daniels-Tremel, ARNP, the late Jeanne Grushinski-Rubin, RN and Daniel Bower, DMD. For more information about these extraordinary individuals, please visit Florida Veteran Health Heroes.

Florida has the country's third largest veteran population and is home to 231,000 veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The department understands the critical need to serve Florida's veterans, and is dedicated to becoming the most veteran-friendly state in the nation.

On July 1, 2014 the department launched the Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response (VALOR) System which expedites licensing for military veterans who apply six months before or after honorable discharge. The state also extended fee waiver eligibility to military veterans and their spouses for health care provider licenses up to 60 months after honorable discharge. For more information about military support services, please visit the department's Armed Forces Licensing webpage.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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