Brevard Commission vote finalizes Zonka's move to Health Department head

Tuesday night, the County Commission unanimously approved the appointment of Commissioner Kristine Zonka to the position of administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Brevard.

Zonka was chosen after an interview process that led to her hiring by Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. Her last meeting with the commission will take place March 21, and she will begin her new job in April.

Zonka recused herself from Tuesday night's vote and discussion, but expressed her gratitude for the chance at the job, succeeding former FDOH-Brevard Administrator Maria Stahl, who retired from that position last May. Although the position is appointed, it requires a final vote by the County Commission. Mark Lander, interim deputy secretary of county health systems with FDOH, said Zonka's "passion" for Brevard County was what tipped the scales in hiring her for the role.

"One of the things that really speaks to the individual being considered for this position is passion. We go through a very rigorous, extensive interview process ... and I look for an individual who has passion for their community and the health of their community," Lander said.

"I saw that in our interviews and that's one thing that will be greatly appreciated by this board and the community you serve," Lander continued.

Zonka is a nurse practitioner in family practice with Health First Medical Group, and also serves at the medical group as one of two medical directors for advanced practice providers like nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

More:Relativity Space set for first launch of its 3D printed Terran 1 rocket

More:Palm Bay council member Randy Foster hospitalized amid search for Filiberto's replacement

Her fellow commissioners showered praise on Zonka at her penultimate meeting Tuesday. Commission Chair Rita Pritchett told FDOH leaders: "You couldn't have picked a better person for this position.""It's really, really hard that she's not going to be with us up here because she brings so much wisdom for this board," Pritchett said, congratulating Zonka on the move to the appointed position.

Zonka noted that her career outside of politics had always been centered around health care, making the move a natural next step for her as a professional in the field.

"I look forward to the transition ... and thanks for having faith in me. I'll serve you well," Zonka said.

In her new role as county health administrator, Zonka has said a priority of hers will be focusing on access to health care, including for preventative medicine, medical screenings, diabetes and obesity. She will lead a staff of about 400 at the Florida Department of Health in Brevard.

The move will mean Zonka must leave her seat representing South Brevard's District 5. Zonka, a Republican who was first elected in 2016, would not have been eligible for reelection due to term limits.

Under state statute and the Brevard County Charter, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis could appoint someone to fill the vacancy, because there are less than 28 months remaining in her term. Zonka and the four other county commissioners all are Republicans.

As of now, three candidates have filed to run for the seat next year: Republicans Thad Altman and David Neuman; and Democrat Vinnie Taranto Jr. Altman is a current Florida House member, representing District 32 in central Brevard, but cannot seek reelection to the House because of term limits.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard Commission vote finalizes Zonka's move to Health Department head