Laura A. Smith, Refugee Health Program Administrator

Ms. Smith has worked with the Refugee Health Program since 1991 and graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in Education. Ms. Smith is responsible for the daily operations of Florida's Refugee Health Program and oversight of all functions and duties performed by headquarters staff in the Refugee Health Program. The Program Administrator acts as the liaison between the Department of Health and our state and federal partners including the Department of Children and Families, the Office of Refugee Resettlement, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Ms. Smith provides input on refugee health policies and protocols developed by our federal partners, assists in the preparation of federal grant applications and reports, provides daily technical assistance to local refugee health programs, serves as the project manager and liaison for the Lawton and Rhea Chiles Center, and provides up-to-date, culture-specific information to CHD's to ensure services are provided in a culturally sensitive manner. The Program Administrator also serves on the Executive Board of the national Association of Refugee Health Coordinators (ARHC).

Kelly B. Thompson, Refugee Health Assistant Program Administrator

Mrs. Thompson has worked with the Refugee Health Program since April 2009 and graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in Social Work and is now studying for her Masters in Public Administration and Social Work.  Mrs. Thompson is responsible for preparing federal grant applications and reports, writing, updating, and managing statewide agreements and contracts for refugee health services including interpretation services, participating in quality assurance activities, providing technical assistance to local refugee health programs, and conducting bill and policy analyses. The Assistant Program Administrator provides contract management and programmatic oversight to the Extended Refugee Health Services Program that operates in five counties within the state and participates in local Refugee Task Force Meetings. Mrs. Thompson also serves as an associate member on the national Association of Refugee Health Coordinators (ARHC) and provides oversight to the Florida Refugee Health Program in the absence of the Program Administrator.

Karen Kinser, Refugee Health Program Registered Nursing Consultant

Ms. Kinser has worked with the Refugee Health Program since May, 2010 and graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in Nursing.  Ms. Kinser is responsible for providing technical assistance to Refugee Health Program staff regarding clinical matters, reviewing and revising health screening protocols and reimbursement fees, and conducting quality assurance activities. The Registered Nursing Consultant also provides training to county health department staff on clinical issues related to the refugee population and participates in local Refugee Task Force Meetings.

Winnibeth Harris, Refugee Health Program Data Manager

Ms. Harris has worked with the Refugee Health Program since May 2003 and is a senior at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University majoring in Health Informatics and Information Management. Ms. Harris serves as the Refugee Health Program's Information Custodian. The Data Manager ensures continuous functioning of the statewide Refugee Domestic Health Assessment System, works closely with the Electronic Disease Notification System managed by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to ensure timely refugee arrival notifications are received and processed. Ms. Harris acts as a liaison with Department of Children and Families, Refugee Services; DOH Office of Revenue Management; and the Bureau of TB & Refugee Health in responding to operational issues that impact the reimbursement of federal funds to county health departments. The Data Manager also provides data reports for local, state and national partners, user access to refugee data systems, oversees the duties of the Health Information Specialists, and participates in local Refugee Task Force Meetings.

Alonna Hudson, Health Information Specialist

Ms. Hudson has worked with the Refugee Health Program since July 2007. Ms. Hudson is primarily responsible for processing invoices for reimbursement of refugee health assessment and immunization costs incurred by county health departments. The Health Information Specialist reviews reports for data quality assurance of arrival notifications, ensures proper retention of records, generates reimbursement reports, and assists in providing timely notifications of refugee arrivals to county health departments.

Rethema Horne, Health Information Specialist

Ms. Horne has worked with the Refugee Health Program since 2004.  Ms. Horne is primarily responsible for providing timely notifications of new refugee arrivals to county health departments. The Health Information Specialist also ensures proper retention of records, generates county health department activity summary/payment status reports, and maintains contact listings for local, state, and national Refugee Health Coordinators.