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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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Leadership Team

Florida Department of Health Franklin County

  •  (850) 653-2111
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    Fax

    (850) 653-9896
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    Mailing Address

    139 12th Street 

    Apalachicola 

    Florida 32320 

Deanna “DT” Simmons 

DT Simmons found her calling in public health over 10 years ago as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia. Since returning to the U.S. in the fall of 2014, she has worked at the Florida Department of Health in Franklin and Gulf Counties and currently serves as an Operations Manager. In this role, she oversees public media communications; health education and health equity programing; partnership development; community health assessment and improvement planning; and public health accreditation. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, exercising, cooking, and traveling. Ms. Simmons received a B.S.B.A. in Finance from the University of West Florida and a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. Her mantra is that “We’re called to serve as the community needs.”   

Elizabeth "Jinny" Trammell 

Jinny has been within the business office of the Florida Department of Health in Franklin County for 15 years. While working in the Apalachicola seafood industry for 20 years, Jinny found her love for all things Public Health and now serves as the Clerical Supervisor. In this role, she is the facilities manager, oversees purchasing and accounting, supervises clerical staff and ensures all functions run smoothly. In Jinny's free time she loves spoiling her grandchildren, emersing herself in all things history and working in hotel hospitality.  

Kari Williams 

Kari has been employed with the Florida Department of Health in Gulf and Franklin Counties since 2015. She began as the Tobacco Prevention Specialist in Gulf County and quickly obtained the role in both counties. In early 2019, Kari became the Operations Consultant which included working very closely with the Budget Manager and becoming the Contract Manager for both counties. In April of 2019, Kari became the Budget Manager for Gulf and Franklin Counties. Kari is eager to jump into any role and loves a good challenge.  In her free time, she is enjoying a Dr. Pepper and looking for the next Bath and Body Works sale. 

Lesia McDaniel 

Lesia began her employment in 1993, as an OPS Clerk Typist in the WIC program. She has experience with many programs within the Department of Health, including: WIC, Dental, Medical, and now serves as a Government Operations Consultant II in Administration.  Her primary focus is Human Resources, but she also assists with Workforce Development and many fiscal responsibilities of the business operations.  Lesia is known for her morale boosting activities which often includes her exceptional culinary skills.

Lisa Hogan 

Lisa began her career in public health in 1996 after graduating from Tallahassee Community College Nursing Program.  She has worked as a Registered Nurse in a variety of roles including clinic staff, Epidemiology, Healthy Start, and School Health.  Lisa is currently serving as supervisor for the Healthy Start program and is the Nursing Director for both Franklin and Gulf Counties.  She is married to her high school sweetheart and they have one daughter who currently attends Troy University in Troy, AL.  In between traveling to and from Troy, Lisa gets creative with her Cricut.

Megan Bennefield 

Megan joined the department as a Health Educator for the Franklin/Gulf Sexual Risk Avoidance Education grant.  During that time, she also took on the role as Gulf County Deputy Public Information Officer.  After 5 years of facilitating in the classroom and leading presentations with parents and significant adults, Megan took over the role of Management Review Specialist in 2022.  As MRS, Megan served as the Facilities Manager, oversaw the vehicle fleet, and worked as the clerical supervisor.  In 2023, Megan switched roles to focus on supervising the clerical staff, serving as Records Management Liaison Officer for Gulf and Franklin Counties, and Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics in Gulf and Franklin Counties.  She graduated from Valdosta State University with a BA in Sociology and Anthropology.  Megan loves to travel, and treasures spending time with her family – seeing new places, kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, and eating at Gulf and Franklin’s best local spots. 

Randi "Nicole" Sandoval 

Nicole has been with the Florida Department of Health in Franklin County since 2014. She has served as the Public Health Preparedness Planner where she works with community partners, such as the local hospital, long term care facility, law enforcement, emergency management, EMS and federal, state and local operations to plan, prepare, respond and recover from public health emergencies whether natural or human-made. Prior to starting with the Department of Health, Nicole obtained a degree as a Registered Nurse, BSN, at Florida State University in 2003. She worked with Weems Memorial Hospital as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department and Hospital’s Clinics’ prior to the start of her career with DOH-Franklin. Nicole enjoys spending time with her family, friends and fur babies.  Her hobbies include fishing, kayaking, taking long walks on the beach, watching sunsets and making the most of everyday.

Stephanie Cash 

Stephanie earned her BSW and MSW from Florida State University (Go Noles!).  After spending 7 years in child welfare with HRS/DCF, she transitioned to public health and prevention services with the Florida Department of Health in 2002.  She began her public health career as a clinical supervisor for the nationally accredited, evidence-based Healthy Families Franklin-Wakulla-Gulf home visitation program.  Since 2016, she has served as Program Manager for the Healthy Families Franklin-Wakulla-Gulf Program, focused on improving the health outcomes for families and children in our tri-county area.  In her free time, Stephanie enjoys traveling and relaxing with her family.

Zach Hodges 

Zach has been with the Florida Department of Health in Gulf County since 2006 and became Environmental Manager in 2007.  Zach obtained his undergraduate degree from UGA back in 1998 but shortly after his employment began at FDOH – Gulf, he started his Master of Public Health degree from the University of South Florida.  During his time at USF, he also obtained a Certificate of Disaster Management.  Related to local job responsibilities, he manages a staff who regulates onsite waste water, beach water monitoring, animal bite surveillance, biomedical waste, sanitary nuisances, institutional food hygiene, public swimming pools, tanning, tattooing, body piercing, mobile home and RV parks, and limited use public well systems. From a regional lens, he administers a five-county FDEP regulatory contract oversight of area’s storage tank compliance assistance needs. Additionally, in 2019 Zach became the manager for the county’s public health preparedness program which has kept him incredibly busy with various natural disasters. In his free time, Zach enjoys traveling to his home in North Carolina with his family and watching the Georgia Bulldogs football games.