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.
Leadership Team
Public Information Officer
- (850) 227-1276
- gulfchd@flhealth.gov
-
Fax
(850) 227-7587 -
Mailing Address
2475 Garrison Ave
Port St Joe, Florida 32456
April Rester
April is a seasoned nurse currently serving as the clerical supervisor for DOH-Gulf and DOH-Franklin. She is enthusiastic and always ready to assist both clients and her clerical team at a moment's notice.
In 2003, she graduated from Gulf Coast State College and quickly embarked on her nursing career in geriatrics at a local nursing home, while also working with Big Ben Hospice. In 2005, she secured a full-time position at DOH-Franklin.
In 2017, she was cross-trained with Healthy Families and Healthy Start to serve as a local liaison, collaborating closely with WIC and its clients. Notably, she was the only county health department nurse across all 50 states trained to provide wrap-around services and care for the health department and WIC clients. During this time, she earned her CLC certification, enabling her to enhance breastfeeding education in our rural communities. In 2024, April accepted a position as the department's clerical supervisor.
On her spare time she loves spending time with her children and grandchildren. April likes to go fishing with cast nets. Usually if she is not with her family or fishing, she can be found happily working in yard with with her pet chickens, rabbits, and/or her French bulldog named Buster
Deanna “DT” Simmons
DT Simmons found her calling in public health over 10 years ago as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia. Since returning to the U.S. in the fall of 2014, she has worked at the Florida Department of Health in Franklin and Gulf counties and currently serves as an operations manager.
She oversees public communications, health education programing, partnership development, community health assessment and improvement planning, and public health accreditation.
In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, exercising, cooking, and traveling. Ms. Simmons received a B.S.B.A. in Finance from the University of West Florida and a master of public health in epidemiology and biostatistics from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. Her mantra is that “We’re called to serve as the community needs.”
Elizabeth "Jinny" Trammell
Jinny has been working the business office of the Florida Department of Health in Franklin County for 15 years.
While working in the Apalachicola seafood industry for 20 years, Jinny found her love for all things public health and now serves as the clerical supervisor. She is the facilities manager, oversees purchasing and accounting, supervises clerical staff and ensures all functions run smoothly.
In Jinny's free time she loves spoiling her grandchildren, immersing herself in all things history and working in hotel hospitality. 
Kari Williams
Kari has been working at the Florida Department of Health in Gulf and Franklin counties since 2015. She began as the tobacco prevention specialist in Gulf County and quickly obtained the role in both counties.
In early 2019, Kari became the operations consultant, which included working very closely with the budget manager and transitioned into the contract manager for both counties. In April of 2019, Kari became the budget manager for Gulf and Franklin counties.
Kari is eager to jump into any role and loves a good challenge. In her free time, she is enjoying a Dr. Pepper and looking for the next Bath and Body Works sale.
Lisa Hogan
Lisa began her career in public health in 1996 after graduating from Tallahassee Community College's Nursing Program.
She has worked as a registered nurse in a variety of roles including clinic staff, epidemiology, Healthy Start, and school health. Lisa is currently serving as supervisor for the Healthy Start Program and is the nursing director for both Franklin and Gulf counties.
Lisa is married to her high school sweetheart and they have one daughter who currently attends Troy University in Alabama. In between traveling to and from Troy, Lisa likes to gets creative with her Cricut.
Randi "Nicole" Sandoval
Nicole has been with the Florida Department of Health in Franklin County since 2014. She has served as the public health preparedness planner where she works with community partners, such as the local hospital, long term care facility, law enforcement, emergency management, EMS, and federal, state, and local operations to plan, prepare, respond, and recover from public health emergencies.
Prior to starting with the Florida Department of Health, she worked with Weems Memorial Hospital as a registered nurse in the emergency department and the hospital’s clinics.
Nicole obtained a degree as a registered nurse at Florida State University in 2003.
Nicole enjoys spending time with her family, friends and fur babies. Her hobbies include fishing, kayaking, taking long walks on the beach, watching sunsets, and making the most of everyday.
Stephanie Cash
After spending seven years in child welfare with the Florida Department of Children and Families, in 2002, Stephanie transitioned to public health and prevention services at the Florida Department of Health. She began her public health career as a clinical supervisor for the nationally accredited, evidence-based Healthy Families Franklin-Wakulla-Gulf home visitation program.
Since 2016, she has served as the program manager, focused on improving the health outcomes for families and children in our tri-county area.
Stephanie earned her BSW and MSW from Florida State University.
In her free time, Stephanie enjoys traveling and relaxing with her family.
Talitha Robinson
Talitha has been with the Florida Department of Health in Franklin and Gulf counties since 2013. She began in the Tobacco Prevention Program as an Administrative Assistant and quickly moved into the role as a Health Educator with the Closing the Gap Minority Health Program. In 2022, she began working with the Budget and Finance Department as an Administrative Assistant 1, which included purchasing, paying invoices, assisting with front desk duties, and insurance and billing.
Recently, she became the Government Operations Consultant II, working as the Personnel Liaison for both counties.
Talitha received her Bachelor of Science degree for Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, in 2005. In her spare time she loves spending time with her family, friends, listening to music, cooking and visiting restaurants.
Zach Hodges
Zach has been with the Florida Department of Health in Gulf County since 2006 and became an environmental manager in 2007.
Zach obtained his undergraduate degree from UGA back in 1998 but shortly after his employment began at DOH–Gulf, he started the master of public health degree program at the University of South Florida. During his time at USF, he also obtained his certificate of disaster management.
Related to local job responsibilities, Zach manages a staff who carry out beach water monitoring, animal bite surveillance, biomedical waste, sanitary nuisances, institutional food hygiene, public swimming pools, tanning, tattooing, body piercing, mobile home and RV parks, and limited use public well systems.
From a regional lens, he administers a five-county Florida Department of Environmental Protection's regulatory contract oversight of area’s storage tank compliance assistance needs. Additionally, in 2019 Zach became the manager for the county’s public health preparedness program which has kept him incredibly busy with various natural disasters.
In his free time, Zach enjoys traveling to his home in North Carolina with his family and watching the Georgia Bulldogs football games.
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