TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Rick Scott has taken the interim title off Dr. Celeste Philip as the state’s Surgeon General.
Scott made Philip’s appointment permanent on Wednesday. Philip replaced Dr. John Armstrong, who resigned after not being confirmed for a second term by the Florida Senate.
In a statement, Scott lauded Philip for the recent launch of the Department of Health’s New HIV Data Center, along with working with various departments to combat the possible spread of the Zika virus.
Philip has held various positions within the Department of Health since 2008. She has served as interim director in three county health departments and as interim bureau chief for the DOH Bureau of Communicable Diseases.
Philip will need to be confirmed by the Florida Senate when next year’s legislative session starts in March.
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