It's a New Day in Public Health.
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. Carla Fry, PhD, MSN, RN
Administrator and Health Officer
Working in acute care areas such as trauma and coronary care, Dr. Fry put herself through school earning her BSN, MSN, and ultimately a PhD in nursing with a minor in public health as a Maren Fellow at the University of Florida. Dr. Fry spent 12 years in academia teaching, directing nursing programs, and authoring curriculum.
In 2018, Dr. Fry became a Fulbright Scholar and spent a semester working with the Ministry of Health and Department of State in Belize.
Dr. Fry, as director of nursing at the College of the Florida Keys (CFK), worked closely with the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe) on a number of community outreach initiatives focused on protecting the health of residents and visitors to the Florida Keys. This rekindled her passion for public health, and when the opportunity arose, Fry accepted a position as the director of nursing at DOH-Monroe.
Dr. Fry was promoted to assistant county health administrator in October 2022, then appointed by the Florida Surgeon General to the position of administrator and health officer for Monroe County in February 2023.
When she’s not at work, Dr. Fry loves to play and listen to music, and spending time boating, fishing, and diving in the beautiful Florida Keys.
Dr. Taweh Beysolow, MD
Medical Director
Dr. Beysolow joined DOH-Monroe in November 2024. He is responsible for medical oversight of all DOH-Monroe locations with direct client care one day per week, working closely with the DOH-Monroe APRN providers and registered nurses. Dr. Beysolow 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. Beysolow graduated from Dartmouth Medical School in New Hampshire. He completed his residency in internal medicine at both the University of Massachusetts and Harlem Hospital Center in New York. After completing his residency he completed a nephrology fellowship at Harlem Hospital. Dr. Beysolow then remained at Harlem Hospital for the next three years to pursue a fellowship in nephrology.
He is currently a member of the American Society of Nephrology, Florida Society of Nephrology, National Kidney Foundation, International Society of Nephrology, American College of Physicians, and Florida Medical Association.
Dr. Beysolow is an avid gardner and also loves to jog, power walk, and ride his bicycle from Key West to Baby's Coffee on the weekends.
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.
Dr. Antonio Gandia, MD
Community Medical Liaison
Dr. Gandia joined DOH-Monroe in December 2024. He is responsible for building and fostering public/private partnerships to enhance preventative care for Monroe County residents and visitors.
Dr. Gandia is a board-certified Emergency Physician and Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians, actively practicing Emergency Medicine for over 35 years. He has been on staff in one of the largest teaching hospitals in South Florida in which he served as a Medical Director to one of its Emergency Departments.
During his 35 years in South Florida, he has been honored numerous local, state and national awards. Dr. Gandia has been an EMS/Fire Rescue Department Medical Director for over 30 years, had been President of the Florida Association of EMS, has been on the Executive board of the Florida College of Emergency Physicians and has held numerous chairmanships within that organization. Dr. Gandia was a member of the EMS Advisory Council in Broward County and now sits on the sits on the Florida EMS Advisory Council which is an appointed position by the Governor of Florida.
Dr. Gandia has held academic positions at the University of Miami, Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University, Nova Southeastern University and Barry University in which he teaches and mentors Residents, medical students, and students from the ARNP and PA programs. Most recently he has been appointed as President and Chief Medical Officer to Braxton College in Ft. Myers Florida.
He continues his practice in Emergency Medicine and is on staff at Lower Keys Medical Center.
Dr. Gandia has been in the Keys for over 10 years training EMT’s and paramedics as Medical Director of Southeastern Medical Academy. In addition, he is the Medical Director for the City of Key West Fire Rescue, City of Marathon Fire Rescue and Monroe County Fire Rescue.
In his free time, Dr. Gandia enjoys spending time with his family and going to Buc-ees!
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.
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.
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.
Alim Isakh
Sr. Network Systems Analyst
Alim joined DOH-Monroe in October 2024. He is responsible for overall, daily IT operations and coordinates with the Office of Information Technology in Tallahassee among local IT staff to ensure that I.T needs are being met among the department. He establishes methods and procedures for use of network systems including hardware, software, and Voice over IP (VoIP) communications devices while serving as the system administrator.
Alim was formerly with Broward County Government, Parks & Recreation Division as an IT Intern providing helpdesk and system admin support.
Alim enjoys travelling and trying new things.
Alex Ramos
Office Automation Analyst
Alex joined DOH-Monroe in July 2024. He is responsible for new user setup, including workstation equipment, wireless devices, all external peripheral devices in DOH-Monroe offices and remote teleworker offices. He supports Help Desk functions, performing troubleshooting and implementing resolutions.
Alex was formerly with Martins Key West as Host Trainer and Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe as Shift Manager. With the University of Washington iSchool, Seattle, he served as Design Team Lead and Undergraduate Research Assistant in an effort to design and implement equitable information systems for underrepresented individuals. It was here that Alex also graduated from the University of Washington, Seattle, iSchool with a Bachelor of Science degree in Informatics with a Humun-Computer Interaction Concentration.
Alex enjoys the company of friends and family over board games at Kava Culture Key West and is a massive football and Pokémon fan.
Connect with DOH