State Surgeon General
Joseph A. Ladapo, MD, PhD
Joseph A. Ladapo, MD, PhD, is the State Surgeon General of Florida. He also serves as Professor of Medicine at the University of Florida, where his research examines behavioral economic strategies to reduce cardiovascular risk in low-income and disadvantaged populations. Clinically, he has cared primarily for hospitalized patients.
Chief of Staff
Lauren Cassedy
Lauren Cassedy began serving as chief of staff for the Florida Department of Health on November 12, 2024. Mrs. Cassedy previously served as the chief of staff for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), overseeing its Business Support Program and Office of Open Government, which includes the areas of Legislative Affairs, Communications, and Public Records.
Prior to her service at the Florida Department of Health and FDLE, she led corporate communications for AT&T, leading public affairs and communications for a 14-state region in the Southwest United States. Additionally, Mrs. Cassedy served as the director of public affairs for former Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and press secretary for former Florida Governor Rick Scott.
Mrs. Cassedy has a bachelor’s degree in social science from Florida State University.
Deputy Secretary for Health
Kenneth A. Scheppke, MD, FAEMS
Dr. Kenneth Scheppke began serving as the deputy secretary for Health in 2021. Prior to his joining the leadership team, Dr. Scheppke served as the Department’s State Emergency Medical Services’ medical director, Florida Division of Emergency Management’s chief medical officer, and medical director for seven fire-rescue agencies across Florida’s Palm Beach and Martin counties. He also served as the associate medical director for the Broward Sheriff’s Office and medical director for one of the largest multi-state public-access defibrillation programs in the country.
Dr. Scheppke is a licensed medical doctor who is also a dual board-certified specialist in emergency medicine and the subspecialty of EMS. Dr. Scheppke received his medical degree from Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. He completed his internship and residency at the Medical Center of Delaware where he was elected chief resident.
Deputy Secretary for Operations
Antonio Dawkins
Antonio Dawkins serves as the deputy secretary for operations and has served the Department since 2003. In this role, Mr. Dawkins oversees the Department’s essential administrative units including the Offices of Information Technology and Budget and Revenue Management, the Contract Administration and Grant Management Section, and the Bureaus of Finance and Accounting, Personnel and Human Resources, and General Services. Additionally, he oversees the Division of Medical Quality Assurance, which regulates Florida’s health care practitioners, and the Division of Disability Determinations.
He has a Master of Public Administration from Florida Gulf Coast University and a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
Deputy Secretary for County Health Systems
Mark Lander
Mark Lander began serving as deputy secretary for County Health Systems in December 2020.
Mr. Lander served as health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Columbia and Hamilton counties before taking the helm in Marion County in October 2017. He currently serves as president of the Florida Association of County Health Officers. Additionally, he serves as the second vice president of the Florida Public Health Association, chair for the Healthy Start Service Provider Council of North Central Florida, and chair of the United Way of Marion County’s Health Vision Council.
Mr. Lander attended the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor of Science in Food and Natural Resource Economics and a Master of Science in Soil and Water Science.
General Counsel
Alysson Bradley (Interim)
Alysson Bradley is currently serving as the interim general counsel for the Florida Department of Health.