Lynette Herbert stepped into the top public health job in Sarasota County on Wednesday, Aug. 26, taking charge of more than 200 employees who serve roughly 400,000 residents across six locations.

The Sarasota County Commission confirmed Herbert's appointment Tuesday, Aug. 25, according to a Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County press release. She holds three roles: health officer of DOH-Sarasota, administrator of DOH-Sarasota, and director of Sarasota County Health and Human Services.

Herbert replaces Chuck Henry, who has led the department since 2011 and worked for the Florida Department of Health since 2002. Henry, a 24-year U.S. Navy veteran who served as a hospital corpsman and commissioned officer in the Medical Service Corps, will retire Sept. 30.

The appointment is an internal promotion. Herbert has worked within DOH-Sarasota and Sarasota County government for more than a decade, most recently as assistant director since February 2022. Before that, she spent six years as public health services manager and nearly five years as a contracted human services supervisor for the county.

"Lynette's combined years of leadership experience and unique ability to build strong community partnerships put her in the perfect position to lead the department," Becky Keyes, director of county health systems for the Florida Department of Health, said in the press release.

Herbert's portfolio is broad. On the state side, DOH-Sarasota handles environmental health, vital records, epidemiology, communicable disease control, emergency preparedness, maternal care, nutrition services and health education. On the county side, her department oversees human services, mosquito management and veterans services.

She brings more than 20 years of experience across public health, human services, local government and the nonprofit sector. Before joining the state health department, Herbert spent more than six years as chief financial officer for a nonprofit organization. She holds a Master of Science in applied aging sciences from the University of South Florida.

Herbert said in the press release she looks forward to building on existing partnerships and ensuring residents can access public health services.

Henry's retirement Sept. 30 will mark the end of a 15-year tenure in the dual role. Residents can reach DOH-Sarasota at 941-861-2900 or sarasota.floridahealth.gov.