Chief of Staff: Kim Barnhill

Biography information about Kim Barnhill, Chief of Staff

Ms. Kim Barnhill serves as Chief of Staff for the Florida Department of Health (DOH), overseeing and bolstering initiatives of the Offices of Communications, Legislative Planning and Performance Improvement. Ms. Barnhill brings with her extensive experience spearheading DOH county health departments and public health initiatives.

Ms. Barnhill became Director of Statewide Services in 2000, providing management and planning for all 67 county health departments in the state. In 2002, she was selected to serve as the Administrator for the Madison and Jefferson County Health Departments. Earlier in Ms. Barnhill's career, she directed the preventive dental programs for 37 counties, provided consultation for 106 community fluoridation programs, and managed the development of new programs. As the director of volunteer services starting in 1996, Ms. Barnhill was instrumental in tapping into the local community volunteer service providers to form volunteer teams to meet the needs of uninsured Floridians.

Ms. Barnhill graduated cum laude from Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in health education, a master's degree in adult education and gerontology, and a master's degree in Public Health. Ms. Barnhill serves on the Board of Directors of the National Public Health Foundation, the Big Bend Early Learning Coalition, as well as the board of Apalachee Services. She serves on the FSU Masters of Public Health Advisory Council, is a liaison to the U.S. Taskforce on Community Preventive Services, and is a member of the Florida Public Health Association. She has been an active member of the Florida Association of County Health Officers, serving as president from 2008 -2009 and has served as a board member at large.

Ms. Barnhill was honored as Florida's Outstanding Woman in Public Health for 2012, a prestigious award initiated by the University of South Florida. The university bestows the award annually to a woman whose career accomplishments and leadership have contributed significantly to the field of public health in Florida.