Debora Kerr, Chief Operating Officer
In over thirteen years work in the nonprofit sector Debora Kerr, M.A., has demonstrated her effectiveness in building cross-industry and multi-disciplinary collaborations, resource and economic development, research, and project management. Her activities in public health and healthcare, biotechnology, education, youth programs, and workforce development have resulted in financial assistance and operational support to various populations in need.
In addition to serving as staff of the Palm Beach County Workforce Alliance and the Palm Beach County Health Department, she has been involved in numerous leadership roles in community efforts locally and regionally, including serving on the steering committee for the 10-year Palm Beach County Economic Development Plan, Mobilizing for Planning and Partnership (MAPP), a county-wide strategic health services planning process, membership on the Advisory Committee for the Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Institute for Disaster and Emergency Preparedness, and serving on the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation Advisory Board.
After being involved in planning and securing start-up funding ($1.25 million) for the Florida Public Health Institute through Quantum Foundation and the NNPHI/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Ms. Kerr brings her diverse knowledge and experience to the Institute as Chief Operating Officer. She works closely with Executive Director, Roderick King MD MPH, to oversee business/resource development and project expansion of its five centers of excellence and health policy bureau. The five centers include workforce development; bio-preparedness and health system readiness; primary care and prevention; research, education and training; and a center for a sustainable environment and safe water.
Ms. Kerr is currently coordinating the development of the Florida HIA (Health Impact Assessment) Consortium and recently attended HIA training in Washington DC, sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson and Pew Foundations.
Other project activities include FQHC expansion, oral health access, public health workforce, health policy, preparedness public/private partnerships and a project with Florida Atlantic University's departments of environmental science and engineering to study climate change and public health in South Florida.
