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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.

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About Our Health Officer

Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County

R. Matthew Dobson, M.S. 

Administrator
Florida Department of Health Santa Rosa County


Matthew Dobson began his career with the department as a Health Educator in Community Health for Santa Rosa. He became the Public Health Services Manager for Community Health and helped lead Santa Rosa’s work toward gaining reaccreditation. While at Santa Rosa he has served as the Lead Staff Member for the Community Health Needs Assessment, Community Health Improvement Plan, Strategic Plan, Performance Management Quality Improvement, and Workforce Development. Dobson has successfully completed the Public Health Executive Leadership Class offered by the department in conjunction with USF. Prior to entering the public health field, he worked almost 15 years as a Wellness Education Specialist for the Florida Department of Corrections. He also taught Life Fitness Classes and Administration of Professional Programs course work as an Adjunct Professor at Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida in Pensacola.

Dobson holds a Master of Science degree in Health, Leisure, and Sports/Physical Education from the University of West Florida and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology from Florida State University. While attending Florida State, he was captain of the FSU Cross Country Team and Co-Captain of the FSU Track & Field Team. He won a conference championship in the 10,000 Meter Run for the Seminoles and later became the first American to win overall in the 2004 Walt Disney World Marathon. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Liberty University and completed the U.S. Army Basic Officers School for Military Chaplains at Fort Jackson, SC. He retired from military service after serving over 8 years in the U.S. Army Reserves.

He specializes in community health endeavors and promotes active lifestyles, good nutritional habits, and healthy lifestyle behaviors to maximize the benefits of living well. Dobson believes the key to building healthy communities in Santa Rosa is identifying needs and building partnerships through collaboration to meet the needs of the community.   

Senior Leadership Team 

Herman Davies                 

Herman Davies, REHS                             
Environmental Health Manager       

 

Kimberly Fischer
Community Health Manager

 

Del W. Lewis, PHFM                                
Administrative Services Manager 

 

Dianne Pickens

Dianne Pickens, LD/N, MPA
WIC Manager

 

Sherry Worley

Sherry Worley
Director or Nursing

 

Mary Clanton

Mary Clanton
Manager of Operations/HR Liaison

 

Nancy Hardison

Nancy Hardison
Operations Analyst II