This press release published at the request of the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County.
The Alachua County Health Department (ACHD) has formalized a committee of local science and medical experts that have augmented State of Florida Department of Health guidance to the ACHD since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“
Dr. Kathleen Ryan, M.D.: Clinical Associate Professor in the UF College of Medicine, Pediatrics-Infectious Diseases,
Dr. Glenn Morris, M.D.: Director of the UF Emerging Pathogens Institute and Professor, UF College of Medicine, Medicine-Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine,
Dr. Mike Lauzardo, M.D.: Deputy Director, UF Emerging Pathogens Institute, and Associate Professor, UF College of Medicine, Medicine-Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, have served as the local, core infectious disease experts that I have consulted since January of 2020,” Stated Paul D. Myers, Administrator of the ACHD. “With the opening of school, we have added additional pediatric and scientific expertise to the group and welcome
Dr. Yana Banks, M.D.: Clinical Assistant Professor, UF College of Medicine, Pediatrics,
Dr. Sarah McKune, MPH, Ph.D.: Assistant Professor, UF College of Public Health and Health Professions, Environmental and Global Health, and the Center for African Studies, and
Dr. Eric Nelson, M.D., Ph.D.: Assistant Professor, UF College of Medicine, Pediatrics, and UF College of Public Health and Health Professions, Environmental and Global Health, and Emerging Pathogens Institute. Alachua County is fortunate to have world-class experts to help guide our community during this global pandemic.”
Because Alachua County is an international educational center, is home to a regional health system, and has unique demographics, it poses challenges in controlling COVID-19. Leveraging state and local expertise has resulted in the minimization of County morbidity and mortality. By many measures, Alachua County has fared well when compared to other jurisdictions, and local expertise has been crucial in the pandemic response.