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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.
Meet Our Leadership Team
Florida Department of Health in Monroe County
- 305-293-7500
- DOHMonroe@flhealth.gov
-
Mailing Address
1100 Simonton St.
Key West, FL
33040
Dr. Mark Whiteside, MD, MPH
Medical Director
Dr. Whiteside has been the medical director of the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County since 2008.
He has worked with local health departments, including Palm Beach, Dade, and Monroe counties since the 1980s. He is trained in infectious and tropical disease.
Dr. Whiteside has a masters in public health from the University of Miami. He has been involved in research and clinical work with HIV and AIDS since the very beginning of the epidemic. He has also done work and research with various arboviruses, including Dengue.
Dr. Whiteside is an avid birdwatcher and is married with two grown children.
Dr. Mark Roby, DNP, MBA, RN
Director of Nursing
Dr. Roby has been the director of nursing at the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County since January, 2023.
He started his nursing career over 25 years ago as a cardiac telemetry nurse after graduating with a bachelor of science in nursing from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
In addition to this BSN degree, Dr. Roby holds a bachelor of science degree in psychology from Virginia Tech, an MBA in human resource management from the University of Phoenix, an MSN in nursing education from the University of South Florida, and a doctorate of nursing practice from Capella University.
Dr. Roby enjoys paddleboarding and biking, and is a huge sci-fi fan.
Alison Kerr, MPH 
Director of Community Health Improvement Planning/Public Health Services Manager
Alison has worked for the department since March 2013, serving in various capacities.
Alison supervises community health, tobacco prevention, health disparities, and vital statistics. She directs the administration of the performance management, strategic plan, and quality improvement plan. She is also responsible for leading staff and activities to achieve and sustain the agency’s accreditation status with the Public Health Accreditation Board.
Alison currently serves on the board of Zonta Club of Key West, a non-profit organization that serves to advance the status of women.
She holds a BS in environmental studies from the University of Southern California and an MPH in Environmental and Occupational Health from FIU. Along with her husband, Manny, Alison enjoys making the Florida Keys her home with their cat, Luna.
Nichole Allen
Planning and Business Manager
Nichole Allen began working at the Florida Department of Health in 2005 as an OPS records tech with vital statistics.
She transferred to the finance and accounting business office shortly thereafter.
Nichole supervises the budget office, vital statistics, contract administration, and revenue management.
She is a member of the Florida Association of County Health Department Business Administrators.
In her free time Nichole enjoys gardening, creating new recipes, and cooking for her friends and family.
Jennifer Lefelar
Public Information Officer
Jennifer Lefelar attended Florida International University on a golf scholarship where she earned a B.S. in public relations and a minor in English.
Upon graduation Jennifer went to work at PR Newswire where she worked in editorial, sales, and management roles for 13 years. She also worked at GlaxoSmithKline for 13 years in senior pharmaceutical sales representative and vaccines account manager roles.
She joined the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County as a contact tracer in August of 2020, and then moved into a community health planner role in February of 2022, before accepting her dream job of "PIO in Paradise" in September of 2022.
Jennifer also worked as a table games instructor on the Las Vegas strip and is certified in the state of Nevada to deal blackjack, craps, baccarat and paigow poker. Jennifer lives in Big Pine Key with her husband Storm, their teenage daughter Carly (who attends Key West High School) and their really cute cat named Amber.
In her spare time Jennifer enjoys boating and fishing, her MacBook Pro and really long road trips.
Rachel Patterson
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Manager
Rachel is from Arkansas and had been traveling full time with her husband since 2018, until visiting the Keys and deciding to make it home. Rachel joined the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County in January 2024. She serves as the public health emergency preparedness program manager.
Rachel has a masters in public health from the University of Missouri and a bachelor of science in health services as well as being a licensed radiologic technologist. She has a passion for learning and strives to become proficient in all areas of preparedness.
Rachel enjoys the challenges and benefits that result from the collaborative process and the creation of strong partnerships.
Rachel is an animal lover and enjoys walking and playing with her 4-year-old labradoodle, Roux, and all of her dog friends.
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