About Our Health Officer

Health Officer Rachel Bryant

Rachel Bryant has served as health officer of the Florida Department of Health in Calhoun and Liberty Counties since 2012. Prior to her current role, Mrs. Bryant worked in many other capacities and environments. With experience working in the hospital, home health, and case management settings, she joined the Florida Department of Health in Liberty County (DOH-Liberty) in 1994 as a part-time school health nurse to help establish the new school health program. There she found her passion of public health!

Mrs. Bryant later had the opportunity to serve as school health coordinator and nursing director of DOH-Liberty. She then transferred to the Florida Department of Health State Health Office in Tallahassee as the Statewide Director of the Coordinated School Health program. After a move to Jacksonville, Mrs. Bryant worked as the clinic administrator of two Duval County health department sites. Mrs. Bryant’s experience on the local and state level, as well as, clinical and administrative duties has prepared her for the role of health officer.

Mrs. Bryant received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Florida State University in 1993 and earned a Master of Science in Nursing and Masters of Business Administration/Healthcare Management from the University of Phoenix in 2006. She also completed the Public Health Leadership Institute of Florida in 2002.

Mrs. Bryant believes being an active participant in the community is essential. She has served on various boards and organizations such as the Calhoun-Liberty Hospital Board, Liberty County Children’s Coalition, Liberty County Hospice Board, Bristol Lion’s Club, Liberty County Health Council, Liberty County Domestic Violence Task Force, Calhoun County Children’s Coalition, Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce, Gadsden County Children’s Coalition, and the Board of Directors for the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce.

Mrs. Bryant’s professional philosophy is to empower employees to perform their job duties to the best of their ability, and to represent the Florida Department of Health in the community in a positive and professional manner. She strives to articulate the vision and mission of the Florida Department of Health and to employees and community members. Her goals for the health departments are to lead the way to healthier communities, to create a climate that encourages and promotes employee excellence, and to address the public health needs of the community stakeholders through strategic planning.

When not working, Mrs. Bryant enjoys spending time with her family. She truly believes “Family is: the place where life begins and love never ends”; but will quickly tell you “It’s not blood that makes you family, its love!” She is proud to live and work in a community she considers family and serve the people she loves.