Health Dept. Conference Center Dedicated To Posey
By SpaceCoastDaily // February 24, 2013
Recognition For Public Service
(ABOVE VIDEO: BillPoseydotcom)
BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA — The Florida Department of Health in Brevard County Conference Center was named after U.S. Congressman Bill Posey in a special dedication ceremony led by Dr. Heidar Heshmati, director of the health department.
Congressman Bill Posey
"Year after year Congressman Posey was so helpful, and without him, we would not have this huge and beautiful clinic building and conference center that we have today," said Dr. Hesmati in a heartfelt show of support and gratitude for his efforts in helping Brevard County.
In attendance was an impressive array of Brevard County medical staff, business, community and political leaders to witness the dedication to one of Brevard's favorite and longest standing political servants.
Health Department Leaders
The Florida Department of Health in Brevard County (formerly known as the Brevard County Health Department) provides over 10,000 services daily to people in Brevard County.
Dr. Heidar Heshmati
The department is led by Director Dr. Heidar Heshmati; Executive Community Health Nursing Director Maria Stahl; Administrative Services Director Bob Vitto; Director of Community Health R.Bruce Pierce; Environmental Manager Melissa Brock; and Attorney Carlos Marin-Rosa
The Conference Center was named after Posey, as he has been a continual advocate for Brevard County Health Services and was instrumental in finding the funding for the Brevard County Health Department building in Viera.
'It Takes a Village'
Kim Barnhill, chief of staff for the Florida Department of Health, spoke passionately about Florida's public health service and on behalf of Dr. John Armstrong, Florida's Surgeon General.
Kim Barnhill
Barnhill, who was born and raised in Brevard, congratulated Posey on the dedication.
"It takes a village to get something like this accomplished and we thank Bill for helping to make this happen," said Barnhill.
"Our mission is to make Florida the healthiest state in the nation and whether it is a ribbon cutting or a category four hurricane, we are here for you."
Outstanding Public Service
Posey represents Florida's 8th Congressional District which encompasses all of Brevard and Indian River Counties, and a small portion of Orange County.
A Republican, he was elected to U.S. House of Representatives in 2008 and is currently serving his third term. He serves on the Financial Services Committee and its two subcommittees – Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit and Domestic & International Monetary Policy.
Posey also serves on the Committee on Science, Space and Technology and it's two subcommittees on Space and Oversight.
John Davis, left, with Dr. Vinh Trong Ngo enjoy the dedication ceremony. (SpaceCoastDaily.com image)
Prior to being elected to Congress, Posey served for eight years in the Florida State Senate where he led the successful effort to reform Florida's insurance laws to increase competition and lower rates for home-owners and businesses in response to the devastating 2004 hurricane season.
After the controversy surrounding the 2000 presidential election, Posey sponsored and passed legislation to reform and modernize Florida's election process by requiring counties to replace their punch card ballot system with optical scanners, set new election recount standards and better educate voters and poll workers.
Before entering public service, he worked at the Kennedy Space Center until he was laid off with the end of the Apollo Program. He then founded Posey & Co. Realtors and later served as a director of the Florida Association of Realtors and President of the Space Coast Association of Realtors.
He also oversaw reforms to lower the cost of workers' compensation, medical malpractice and automobile insurance laws.
In 1992 Posey was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. He previously served for 10 years as a member of the Rockledge City Council.
Cocoa High, BCC Graduate
Bill Posey was born in 1947 and attended Cocoa High where he met and later married his high school sweetheart, Katie. The Poseys have been married 45 years and live in Rockledge. They have two daughters, Pam and Cathi, and three grandchildren. He graduated from Brevard Community College with an Associate of Arts degree in 1969.
Kristy Grimes, left, and Pam Gillespie. (SpaceCoastDaily.com image)
Posey has long been an advocate for greater accountability in government and is the author of the book Activity Based Total Accountability.
The American Legislative Exchange Council, the nation's oldest and largest bipartisan organization of state lawmakers, named Posey "National Legislator of the Year" for his efforts to bring greater accountability to government.
He is also an accomplished stock car racer, having received the award for short track driver achievement in memory of Davey & Clifford Allison presented by Bobby & Judy Allison.
$16.5 Million Investment
Brevard County Commissioner Chuck Nelson spoke at the ceremony to recognize and congratulate Posey.
Chuck Nelson
"This 10.89 acre building site was set aside (by the county commission) on December 7, 2004 and this 2-story magnificent building with 61,000 square feet was opened to the public in June 2009.
$4.5 million of the construction funding came from the state legislature, $2.8 million from the Florida Department of Health and $4.2 from the Brevard County Health Trust Fund. But none of that would have happened without the great leadership at the state level of Congressman Posey" said Nelson.
Mike Haridopolis
Florida Senator Mike Haridopolis also spoke to congratulate Posey.
"It has been Bill's wisdom and leadership that has really led the way for Brevard County," said Haridopolis.
"Without his hard work, dedication and loyal representation of the taxpayers, great things like this don't happen."
'Admire, Respect and Honor'
Judge A.B Majeed of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit Court serving Brevard and Seminole counties also spoke to congratulate Posey.
"Everyone gathered here today is a VIP and I'm so glad to see people here today from all walks of life," said Majeed.
Judge A.B Majeed
"I admire, respect and honor the Congressman very much and he is a close friend of mine and of the people. He works so hard for this community and is always there to help. I would also like to thank Dr. Heshmati who has dedicated his life to this community.
"The delivery of pubic health is so critical to our community and is often the only available access to healthcare for many of our friends and neighbors. Thank you Bill for all that you have done and for all that you will do."
Heshmati then presented Posey with a commemorative plaque and the Congressman spoke passionately about his love for Brevard and of being a public servant.
"Those of us here today all have something in common and that is we share a servants heart and that is why you do what you do every day," said Posey.
"Putting other people first is what you do and I thank you for that. There was a day when I thought that the health department where was poor people went to get shots but through getting to know Dr. Heshmati and his predecessor, the great Dr. Manuel Garcia, I learned that it is so much more.
"I have since learned about all the wonderful services that the health department provides that benefits every single person living in this county. This department is the first line of defense for the health of our citizens and is extremely important. Dr.Hesmati is a true advoacte for the people and his influence led to the $16.5 million being put in the ground here. I am humbled and we greatly appreciate this honor."
Dr. Mitch Greenberg, left, and Tom Redmond. (SpaceCoastDaily.com image)
More Community Leadership
Other people in attendance were long-time public servant Tom Redmond, Dr. Mitch Greenberg, Special Projects Coordinator for District 5 Kristy Grimes, Director of Community Relations for Congressman Posey Pam Gillespie, Sexual Assault Victim Services Director Teresa Andersen, Dr. Radfar Heshmati, John David and Dr. Vinh Trong Ngo.
Dr. Heshmati closed the ceremony and thanked all who have supported the health department.
Teresa Andersen, left, and Dr. Radfar Heshmati. (SpaceCoastDaily.com image)
"We are the only county health department in the entire United States that has 11 best model practices and we are very proud of that accomplishment," said Dr. Heshmati.
"We are the only county in the state that offers pre-natal care to pregnant women. Due to our great staff, our partnerships with private medical practitioners, OBGYN's, hospitals, healthy start and other key organizations, we provide quality medical care to the people."
Jean Ames says:
Keep up your good work. We need more people like you working for us
VINH NGO says:
It was a great story about The Brevard County Health Department, we do have a very dedicated staff, and owe a lot to our volunteer
physicians and dentists.