Gulf County Health Department History
GULF COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
HISTORY & PROGRESS
The Past:
Before the development of public health, epidemics of cholera and yellow fever struck the state almost annually, one of which almost wiped out the population of St. Joseph in 1841. Control of infectious diseases was the major reason for establishment of public health services and remains a major focus today. Throughout history, as one communicable disease has been eradicated, another evolves to take its place.
Senate Bill 1334, Acts of 1955, authorized the county to issue and sell interest bearing certificates in the amount of $60,000 to construct public health centers in Port St. Joe and Wewahitchka. In 1955 money was allocated by the state to build public health centers in Port St. Joe and Wewahitchka.
January 10, 1956, plans for acquiring land, buildings and equipment were finalized and Tom Daniel hired to design the Dr. Albert L. Ward building in Port St. Joe and the Dr. Thomas Meriweather building in Wewahitchka.
December 10, 1957: Dr. Henry Langston, Health Director, announced that the buildings were constructed and ready for use.
As the community has grown and changed, the Gulf County Health Department has adapted to meet the needs of the people. Many programs have been added to promote preventative health care and provide primary care on a sliding fee scale.
In 1988, the original Port St. Joe building was enlarged to house the new primary care program. In 1990, a second addition was made to house and expanding Environmental Health section and WIC (Women, Infants and Children).
The Present:
Hundreds of Gulf County residents have benefited from the added services. Many who are denied assistance from the state but cannot afford medical insurance take advantage of the affordable health care offered at the Gulf CHD. Yearly Cervical Cancer and Prostate Cancer screening clinics are held at no charge to the public. Information and education are provided to individuals, schools and civic groups. For almost fifty years the two buildings have served Gulf County well.
In 2002, Phase I of the new health department building in Port St. Joe was completed and Phase II followed in 2004. Also in 2004, a Federally Qualified Health Center grant was awarded, making the newly formed Saint Joseph Care of Florida, Inc./Gulf County Health Department the first health department in the State of Florida to incorporate an FQHC into existing operations.
In 2005, construction of a new health department building for Wewahitchka was started and completed by 2006.
Services available at the Gulf County Health Department include:
Immunizations
Family Planning
Primary Care (hypertension, diabetes, weight control, etc.)
Healthy Start (prenatal care & referrals, childbirth education, etc.)
WIC (Women, Infants & Children) (breastfeeding support, nutrition counseling)
EPSDT (Early Periodic Screening and Diagnostic Testing)
School Health (A Health Support Aide in every school, with RN supervision)
Tuberculosis
AIDS
STD (Sexually Transmitted Diseases)
Seizure Control
Dental Clinic
Social Services