FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 20, 2024

Monroe County Community Health

Improvement Plan Partners Recognized

Contact:

Jennifer Lefelar, Public Information Officer

Florida Department of Health – Monroe County

305-434-5413

Monroe County, Fla. – On Tuesday, February 13, 2024, the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe) recognized the three chairpersons for Monroe County’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and associated county health priorities.

These three individuals were recognized for their dedication the last five years and for their tireless work towards the betterment of health among Monroe County’s residents. The county’s health priorities, as identified by key stakeholders and residents in the 2019-2024 CHIP, include Access to Care, Mental Health and Substance Abuse, and Health in All Policies.

The Department is working on renewing the CHIP and invites all residents to complete the Well-Being Survey available at tinyurl.com/wbs24 or scan the QR code below.

The survey takes about five minutes to complete and is available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. The results of the survey will help identify for next three health priorities for succeeding years of the Monroe County CHIP. For more information about the CHIP and to read the reports, visit monroe.flhealth.gov/chip or email dohmonroe@flhealth.gov.

Photo Caption: Community Health Improvement Plan chairpeople receive recognition by the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County at the Gato Building in Key West on February 13, 2024. From left, Brandie Peretz, Community Health Improvement Plan lead/epidemiology program manager; Jody Gross, RN, MSN, Leadership Monroe County health coordinator and chairwoman for Choose Health – Partnership for a Healthier Florida Keys Health in All Policies Health Priority; Dr. Carla A. Fry PhD, MSN, RN, administrator and health officer for DOH-Monroe; Michael Cunningham, CEO, Florida Keys AHEC and chairman for Access to Care Health Priority; Maureen Dunleavy, LMHC, senior regional vice president Guidance/Care Center, Inc. and chairwoman for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Health Priority and Alison Kerr, MPH, director of community health improvement and planning for DOH-Monroe. Photo by Jennifer Lefelar, public information officer for DOH-Monroe. 

 About the Florida Department of Health

The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

Follow us on X at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit FloridaHealth.gov.