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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.

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About Our Health Officer

Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County


Elizabeth (Beth) Smith, MSN, RN, has extensive experience in public health and has been employed by the Florida Department of Health since 2005. She worked for DOH-Sarasota for over 9 years in various nursing leadership positions and for DOH-Pinellas from 2015-21 as Executive Community Health Nursing Director. Beth acted as interim health officer of DOH-Okaloosa from December 2020-January 2021 before becoming the official health officer in September 2021.

Beth received a Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Central Florida in 2010 and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Alabama in 1993. Beth is part of the National Association of County & City Health Officials (NACCHO) Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health Subject Matter Expert Workgroup for July 2020-June 30, 2022 and National Association of County & City Health Officials (NACCHO) Reviewer for Model Practice Award and Innovative Practice Award February, 2021.

Prior to moving to Florida, Beth began her nursing career in the Emergency Department at Huntsville Hospital, where she worked for several years.  From 2000-05, Beth worked for Crisis Services of North Alabama where she developed and managed a community-based forensic nursing practice for adult and child sexual assaults, and adult domestic violence victims.