Florida welcomes first Haitian-American to
head health initiatives

Tampa, FL (Sept. 14, 2005) -- University of South Florida public health professor and USF alumnus Rony Francois, MD, PhD, was today appointed Secretary of the Florida Department of Health by Gov.Jeb Bush. He begins his new role on Sept. 19, 2005.

Gov. Jeb Bush, USF Public Health Dean Donna Petersen,and USF's Dr. Rony Francois, new Florida Secretary of health.

Dr. Francois, an assistant professor at the USF College of Public Health, is the first Haitian-American to head Florida's principal public health agency. He replaces Dr. John Agwunobi who was recently nominated by President George W. Bush as U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Assistant Secretary for Health

"Dr. Francois has a depth of knowledge about public health policy and will be a strong advocate for providing quality health services for Floridians," Gov. Bush said. "After considering several outstanding candidates for this position, I am certain Dr. Francois is the right person to guide our state on a wide array of public health issues."

"USF takes great pride in congratulating Dr. Rony Francois for his appointment as Florida's Secretary of Health," said Donna Petersen, ScD, dean of the USF College of Public Health. "At today's press conference Rony gave a wonderful speech in which he addressed the issues of health care, health disparities, preventive interventions, the protection of health and safety ... He emphasized the importance of 'competent, just and compassionate' health care accessible to all. He ended his remarks by stating it was his sincere hope that public health's critical role in our daily lives would become recognized 'without the sinister help of a natural or manmade disaster.'"

"Rony perfectly exemplifies the spirit of USF Health," said Stephen K. Klasko, MD, MBA, dean of the College of Medicine and vice president for USF Health. "He is the first African-American to earn both an MD and PhD at USF. He has taught and inspired students through his faculty position in our College of Public Health. He holds a patent for an obstetrical device, making him an entrepreneur. And, he's a USF booster – his son Rony Francois, Jr, started USF as a pre-med student this semester, turning down an offer from Princeton."

Dr. Francois, 47, has a long academic career and a wealth of experience in public health policy, research and environmental toxicology. He currently directs the Public Health Practice Program at USF, a program that prepares health professionals for leadership roles in the public and private sectors. He is the CHD Meridian Medical Director at Citigroup, and has also taught mathematics and French at both high school and college levels. 

 "I am honored to be a part of Governor Bush's team and look forward to building on the significant achievements of Dr. Agwunobi," Dr. Francois said. "This is a tremendous opportunity for continuing the progress this administration has made in strengthening community partnerships, advancing healthcare for children and minorities and reducing the incidence of chronic disease in our state."

 Dr. Francois, fluent in French and Creole, was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and immigrated to Florida in 1979 to pursue his education, which began at Tallahassee Community College. He received his medical degree from USF in 1994. In addition, Dr. Francois holds an MA in Exercise Physiology from the University of Central Florida, along with an MS in Public Health and a PhD in Toxicology from USF. He is an accomplished soccer athlete, and currently resides in Tampa with his wife, Joelle, and their three children: Rony Andre, Patrick George, and Joelle Anne. 

"I am grateful for the support and love of my family, which has afforded me the opportunity to devote my professional and academic career to the development of public health in Florida," said Dr. Francois.

- USF -

USF Health is comprised of the colleges of Medicine, Nursing and Public Health at the University of South Florida and united by one mission "to advance collaborative learning and discovery leading to improved health in our community." USF Health has major affiliations with the area's teaching and research hospitals, providing an important diversity of educational experiences. In partnership with its affiliated hospitals, USF Health's research funding jumped 21 percent last year to $145.4 million — more than half of which came from federal sources.