Healthy Kids Press Contact
Ashley Carr, Chief Marketing Officer,
(850) 701-6160, [email protected].

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis announced the appointment today of Dr. Stephanie E. Haridopolos as Chair of the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation Board of Directors.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “Dr. Haridopolos’ medical expertise and her leadership will bring a fresh perspective to Florida Healthy Kids. A recent report noted that the number of uninsured children across the nation has increased. One of the first issues I’ve asked her to focus on is to find innovative ways to increase the number of children enrolled in the program. With the news that Healthy Kids will not raise monthly premiums for subsidy and full-pay plans in 2019, it’s important that we find new opportunities to ensure no Florida child goes without health insurance. I look forward to working with Dr. Haridopolos to keep our children safe and healthy.”

Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos said, “I’m thrilled to take on this new role to help even more of Florida’s children get the care they need and deserve. Florida Healthy Kids has been covering millions of children for 28 years, and working alongside the entire board, I know we can build on this success. I appreciate CFO Patronis’ leadership on this important issue and look forward to serving Florida well.”

Florida Healthy Kids Corporation CEO Rebecca Matthews said, “I am pleased to welcome Dr. Haridopolos as Board Chair. Her years of experience as a practicing family physician, coupled with her expansive knowledge of health care policy, make her an extraordinary selection to lead our Board of Directors in the years ahead. The Corporation will undoubtedly reach new heights with her guidance, and we look forward to working with her.”

About Dr. Stephanie E. Haridopolos
Dr. Stephanie E. Haridopolos is a board-certified family medicine physician who completed her residency at Albany Medical Center in New York. She was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to serve on the Board of Medicine in May 2017, where she most recently served as Chair of the Rules and Legislative Committee and Vice-Chair of the Probation Committee. She previously held positions with the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence Foundation, the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, and Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Florida Statewide Drug Task Force.

About the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation
The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation is a nonprofit, public-private partnership created by the Florida Legislature to expand access to affordable, child-centered health insurance. The Corporation administers Florida Healthy Kids (healthykids.org), a comprehensive health and dental insurance program for Florida children from age 5 through the end of age 18. The Corporation is governed by a Board of Directors and is chaired by Florida’s Chief Financial Officer or his designee.

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About CFO Jimmy Patronis
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a native Floridian and a member of Florida’s Cabinet, who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and Twitter (@FLDFS).