Ms. Lesli Ahonkhai formally announces her plans to retire from the Florida Department of Health-Orange County on June 15, 2017. In her role as Assistant Health Officer, Ms. Ahonkhai was responsible for health department operations.

Dr. Kevin M. Sherin, Director and Health Officer of the Department of Health in Orange County (DOH-Orange), said "Lesli Ahonkhai has been an outstanding leader at DOH-Orange. She had a positive impact on improving health equity in our community. We wish her great success in her future endeavors."

An experienced administrator, Ms. Ahonkhai has served in the Health and Human Services profession for almost 30 years. During her tenure at DOH-Orange, she was able to improve the health center infrastructure, institute operational efficiencies, and provide greater access to care. Ms. Ahonkhai was recognized for her leadership in community-driven programs and interventions aimed at reducing health disparities and achieving health equity. Along the way, she served the DOH-Orange as Acting Administrator, Division Director for Health Protection, Clinic Administrator, Contract Administrator, and Data Analyst.

Over her many years of service, Ms. Ahonkhai mentored emerging public health leaders independently and through local and national mentoring programs. She has also lead national practice collaboratives aimed at improving maternal and child health.

A graduate of the University of Central Florida, Ms. Ahonkhai earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Studies with disciplines in Health, Biology, and Fine Arts, and a Master of Arts degree in Applied Sociology. Ms. Ahonkhai has graduated from the University of South Florida Public Health Leadership Institute Class 9, of which she was Valedictorian, and is a Leadership Orlando graduate.

Recently, Ms. Ahonkhai was a recipient of the DOH-Orange 2017 National Public Health Week Public Health Hero Award and was nominated for the University of South Florida Public Health Woman of the Year Award in 2015.

Ms. Ahonkhai looks forward to spending more time with family and continuing to share her years of experience in the community.