Vacant, Refugee Health Program Administrator

The Program Administrator 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. The position 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, participates in local refugee task force meetings, and provides up-to-date, culture-specific information to county health departments (CHD) 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 A. Browne, Refugee Health Assistant Program Administrator

Ms. Browne has worked with the Refugee Health Program since April 2009. She graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in Social Work and is now studying to obtain a master's degree in Public Administration and a master's degree in Social Work. Ms. Browne 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. Ms. Browne also serves as an associate member of ARHC and provides oversight to the Florida Refugee Health Program in the absence of the Program Administrator.

Brandi Andrews, Refugee Health Program Registered Nursing Consultant

Mrs. Andrews has worked with the Refugee Health Program since December, 2011 and graduated from Tallahassee Community College with a degree in Nursing. Mrs. Andrews is responsible for providing technical assistance to central office and CHD staff regarding clinical matters related to the refugee population, reviewing and revising health screening protocols and reimbursement fees, and conducting quality assurance activities. Mrs. Andrews also provides contract management and programmatic oversight to the Extended Refugee Health Services Program that operates in four counties within the state and participates in local Refugee Task Force Meetings.

Vacant, Refugee Health Program Data Manager

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. The Data Manager 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 affect the reimbursement of federal funds to CHDs. The Data Manager also provides data reports for local, state, and national partners, and maintains user access to refugee data systems.

Alonna Hudson, Health Information Specialist

Ms. Hudson has worked with the Refugee Health Program since July 2007 and has an associate's degree in Early Childhood Development. Ms. Hudson is primarily responsible for processing invoices for reimbursement of refugee health assessment and immunization costs incurred by CHDs. Ms. Hudson also does the invoicing for telephonic interpretation services received from Language Line Services. The Health Information Specialist reviews reports for data quality assurance of arrival notifications, ensures proper retention of records, and generates reimbursement reports.

Rethema Horne, Health Information Specialist

Ms. Horne has worked with the Refugee Health Program from 1994 - 2002 and rejoined the program in 2004. Ms. Horne graduated from Tallahassee Community College with an associate's degree in Business Administration and is currently enrolled at Flagler College pursuing a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration. Ms. Horne is primarily responsible for ensuring timely electronic notifications of new refugee arrivals to CHDs, ensures proper retention of records, generates CHD activity summary/payment status reports, processes direct orders (DO) in the state purchasing system (MFMP), and maintains contact listings for local, state, and national Refugee Health Coordinators.