Personnel note: Stephanie Haridopolos named Chair of Florida Healthy Kids

CFO Jimmy Patronis announced Monday he had appointed Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos as Chair of the Florida Healthy Kids Corp. Board of Directors.

Haridopolos, a family practice physician, is married to lobbyist and former Senate President Mike Haridopolos.

“Dr. Haridopolos’ medical expertise and her leadership will bring a fresh perspective to Florida Healthy Kids,” Patronis said in a statement.

Healthy Kids is a “nonprofit, public-private partnership created by the Florida Legislature to expand access to affordable, child-centered health insurance,” a press release explained.

Its Board of Directors is chaired by Florida’s Chief Financial Officer or a designee.

“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,” Patronis added.

“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.”

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.”

She completed her residency at Albany Medical Center in New York, the release said. She was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to serve on the state’s 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.

“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,” said Rebecca Matthews, CEO of Healthy Kids. “The Corporation will undoubtedly reach new heights with her guidance, and we look forward to working with her.”