FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 26, 2023

Contact:

Jennifer Lefelar, Public Information Officer

Florida Department of Health – Monroe County

305-434-5413

Jennifer.Lefelar@flhealth.gov

Public Information Officers and Media Symposium Held in Marathon

(Monroe County, Fla.) — The 4^th annual Monroe County Public Information Officers and Media Symposium was held at the Isla Bella Beach Resort in Marathon on Friday, April 21, 2023 and included 29 participants.  This 4.5-hour event was an opportunity for Monroe County public information officers and media to share best practices when working with one another and provided critical information about emergency management, the Monroe County Communications Plan and the virtual Joint Information Center.  Additional symposium topics included best practices for communications with the media, public, government and law enforcement agencies and a tabletop exercise on an active shooter scenario.  This event was made possible by the Keys Health Ready Coalition.  For more information, email DOHMonroe@flhealth.gov.

Attached Photo - 2023 Monroe County PIO & Media Symposium Group Picture.JPEG caption:

Front row from left: Shannon Davis Weiner (Director, Monroe County Emergency Management), Maureen Dunleavy (Regional Vice President, Guidance/Care Center, Inc.), Shannon McCully (District Clerk/PIO, Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District), Delfina Cruz (BPA-Programs, U.S. Border Patrol/Division of Homeland Security), Alyson Crean (PIO, City of Key West), Tiffany Moore (Operations & Community Outreach Coordinator, United Way of Collier and the Keys), Amber Ernst-Leonard (Associate Vice President, College & Community Engagement, The College of the Florida Keys), Alison Kerr (Public Health Services Manager, DOH-Monroe), Jennifer Lefelar (PIO, DOH-Monroe). 

Middle row from left:  Dana Portillo (School Health Coordinator, DOH-Monroe), Mary Moeller (Sr. Coordinator/PIOA, Monroe County Fire Rescue), Sara Mathis (PIO, City of Marathon), Kristen Livengood (PIO, Monroe County), Nikki Cullen (Marketing and PR Consultant, Florida Keys Electric Cooperative), Maria Jones (Director of Member Services and Government Relations, Florida Keys Electric Cooperative), JoNell Modys (Communicatons Manager, Newman PR/Florida Keys Tourism Development Council), Sue Heim (Commissioner/PIO, Key Largo Wastewater Treatment District). 

Back row from left: Adam Hoffner (Division Chief, Miami Operations, U.S. Border Patrol/Division of Homeland Security), Adam Lindhardt (PIO, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office),  Nancy Klingener (Community Affairs Manager, Monroe County Public Library), Jonathan Rizzo (Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Weather Service-Key West/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), Chris Papas (Public Affairs Officer, United States Coast Guard Sector Key West), Chad Huff  (Public Education & Information Officer, Florida Keys Mosquito Control District), Julio Torrado (Director of HR & Communications, Keys Energy Services), Brad Lutz(Director of Physician Outreach, Lower Keys Medical Center), Michael Wedincamp (Communications Coordinator, Keys Energy Services), Marianne Finizio, VP of Community Relations & Business Development, CHI Community Health of South Florida, Inc.), Michael Stapleford (President, Magnum Broadcasting, Inc. Keys Talk 102.5/69.6/Party 105.7).  Not pictured: Leah Stockton (Florida Keys Area President, United Way of Collier and the Keys).

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About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.