Panama City, Fla. — The Florida Department of Health in Bay County, in partnership with community partners, met on Friday, February 10, 2023, to form the Panhandle Health Alliance (PHA), formerly known as the Community Health Task Force; PHA Board of Directors, to include officer nominees were elected. 

“Being able to stand up the Panhandle Public Health Alliance and collaborate with our community partners will benefit all residents of the panhandle”, said Sandon S. Speedling, MHS, CPM, CPH, Administrator and Health Officer, Florida Department of Health in Bay County. “I look forward to working with our community partners to improve the health of all residents”.

The Panhandle Health Alliance is organized for the purpose of conducting comprehensive evaluations and interpretations of the entire health status of the citizens of the Panhandle of North Florida area to develop intervention and educational strategies to promote a healthier community.  The Panhandle of North Florida includes the following counties: Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, and Washington. 

The specific objectives of this organization will be to provide a forum where members may join for planning, sharing resources, implementing strategies that address health care needs;  conduct periodic community health assessments; develop and implement community health improvement plans; and to assist individuals in making healthy lifestyle choices through coordinating provider partnerships, promoting education opportunities, and developing wellness programs that enhance and support a healthier community.

Membership is free and open to any/all individuals, organizations, and businesses who share the same mission of improving the health and health care of the Panhandle of North Florida citizens.  Please contact Brandy Mankin at brandy.mankin@flhealth.gov for more information on becoming a member. 

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About the Florida Department of Health

The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

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