The Florida Department of Health (DOH) has named Dr. Kelli T. Wells, as the new Director of the Department of Health in Duval County. Since 2009, Dr. Wells served as Clinical Services Director of the DOH in Escambia County, where, in addition to providing clinical care, she promoted community health education. She also spent the past year participating in the Department’s Health Leadership Institute and Practice Management Institute.
“Dr. Wells brings an extensive background in public health, a depth of medical expertise and a vibrant connection to the community of Duval County,” said Dr. John Armstrong, State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health. “This selection was made with unprecedented community collaboration and I’d like to express my thanks to the city council for their concurrence.”
Dr. Wells previously worked in Duval County, serving as Chief Medical Officer at the Agape Community Health Center, Medical Director at the West Jacksonville Family Health Center, and Fast Track Physician at St. Vincent’s Hospital emergency room.
While Dr. Wells spent much of her career as a practicing physician, she gained extensive experience in public health practice along the way. In her current role at the Escambia County Health Department, she conducted divisional training days on such themes as “Small Steps to Better Health” and “What Did the Doctor Say.” Her outreach activities included participating in “Ask the Doctor” at Pensacola’s Annual Health Fair, the annual Phenomenal Woman Workshop at Escambia High School, the S.O.S. Women’s Empowerment Workshop, a cultural competency lecture series and a monthly appearance on WJXT’s “The Doctor is In”.
Dr. Wells graduated from the University of Florida’s College of Medicine as a National Health Service Corps Scholar and Chapter President of the Student National Medical Association. She received a Bachelor of Science from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU). She serves on the Board of Directors of Covenant Hospice and Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. Dr. Wells is a member of the American Board of Family Practice and the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Society.
