FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2013

Contact: Communications Office
(850) 245-4111

TALLAHASSEE—The Florida Department of Health (DOH) has named Mary Garcia the new Administrator of the Department of Health in Putnam County. Garcia began her career in public health as the director for finance and accounting at DOH—St. Johns in 2007. She joined DOH—Volusia in December 2008 as the director of finance and accounting, and was promoted to financial administrator in 2009.

While serving at DOH—Volusia, Garcia worked closely with the dental program, communicable diseases program, Women Infants and Children (WIC), Environmental Health, Preparedness and Community Health to improve and integrate fiscal, contractual and program management. She contributed to the development of a clinic dashboard to increase clinic efficiency. In addition, Garcia was a member of the team responsible for implementing electronic health records at Volusia County Health Department.

"Ms. Garcia has a forward-thinking, action-oriented leadership style and a keen focus on fiscal responsibility," said Dr. John Armstrong, State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health. "Collaboration and partnerships are priorities that Ms. Garcia will use to advance public health for the people of Putnam County."

Previously, Garcia served as an independent contractor for Clark and Roberts law firm in St. Augustine and the City of Pomona in Pomona Park, Florida. She was the business operations manager for Fujitsu Technology Solutions in Sunnyvale, California, and the fiscal and administrative manager for the Emory University Chemistry Department in Atlanta.

Garcia received a Master's in Business Administration from Emory University's Goizueta Business School and a bachelor's degree in zoology from Duke University.

A native of Florida, Garcia is involved in the community by volunteering for the Red Cross, the South Putnam Christian Service Center, and the St. Vincent de Paul and University of Florida Lake Watch Program. She has also served as a board member of the Humane Society and the Lake Broward Association.

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

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