The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (DOH-Monroe) has announced the appointment of Dr. Carla Fry as its new administrator and health officer.
Fry joined DOH-Monroe in December 2021 as nursing director. She was promoted to assistant county health department director in October 2022 when Mary Vanden Brook retired from the department.
“We are so pleased that the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners voted today at its regular meeting to approve a resolution supporting the appointment of Carla Fry as the administrator of the Monroe County Health Department by the Surgeon General of the State of Florida,” said current Health Officer Bob Eadie.
“Carla is very passionate about public health, and especially public health here in the Florida Keys,” Eadie said. “She is absolutely the perfect choice to lead DOH-Monroe into the future. The staff and clients of DOH-Monroe will benefit greatly from her experience and leadership skills.”
In a letter to Monroe County Mayor Craig Cates, Florida Surgeon General Joseph A. Ladapo wrote: “Dr. Fry has an excellent and diverse background in all aspects of public health and has demonstrated her ability as a skilled leader. I believe Dr. Fry will be an asset to the Florida Department of Health and Monroe County as their new health department director.”
Prior to joining DOH-Monroe, Fry was the director of nursing and health sciences at the College of the Florida Keys. She served as director of nursing in academic settings for 12 years with 20 years of supervisory experience in her career. Fry is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army for six years as a medic and LPN. She received her doctorate in nursing with a minor in public health from the University of Florida in 2012 and her master’s degree in nursing and education in 2008 from Jacksonville University.
Fry’s first day in her new role will be in late February 2023.
Eadie will be retiring from DOH-Monroe in March 2023 following 16 years of service in the role of administrator and health officer.
