Press Release Governor Rick Scott
Submitted by Ronnie Nessler on behalf of
Dr. Eugenia Ngo-Seidel
Nassau County Health Department
http://www.nassaucountyhealth.org
Photo courtesy of State Archives Florida Memory Project
Click on photo for historic photo presentation
The Florida Department of Health in Nassau County is celebrating 125 years of public health during 2014 with educational and commemorative events. The state Legislature created the State Board of Health on February 20, 1889, in response to a yellow fever epidemic in Jacksonville, and Dr. Joseph Yates Porter from Key West became Florida’s first State Public Health Officer. Yellow fever in Florida was eradicated in 1905.
“Florida’s dramatic growth was made possible through public health efforts that controlled disease and improved environmental health,” said Dr. John Armstrong, State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health. “Just as Dr. Porter and colleagues saved Floridians from yellow fever over a century ago, we are committed to solving the top public health threat to Florida families now: weight challenge.”
The year-long celebration of 125 years of Florida Public Health was launched in Key West on February 3, where Dr. Armstrong joined Dr. Porter’s great-great granddaughter in a ceremonial wreath laying at Dr. Porter’s grave site. Throughout 2014, the Department will offer educational and health information opportunities. A resource featuring “Public Health Heroes” from all 67 counties will be released later this spring. During the week of April 7-11, the Department will further highlight the 125th Anniversary as part of National Public Health Week. In September 2014, the Department will unveil a full historical exhibit of Florida Public Health heritage at Florida’s Historic Capitol Museum in Tallahassee.
Locally, the Florida Department of Health in Nassau County invites the public to an Open House at the Hilliard Clinic at 37203 Pecan St, Hilliard on Thursday, February 20th from 3:30-4:30 pm to celebrate the past, present and future of public health in Nassau County. Six local Public Health Heroes will be recognized, current staff and programs will be highlighted and new initiatives in telehealth and promoting Healthiest Weight will be featured.
The Department invites Florida’s residents and visitors to join in recognizing 125 years of protecting, promoting and improving the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. More information is available at www.FLHealth125.gov.
Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
February 17, 2014 11:38 a.m.