Nancy L. Tipps, BSN, joined a select group of professionals as 2015 Florida Outstanding Woman in Public Health.  She was presented the award April 8 in the Sam Bell III Auditorium.

Tipps’ numerous letters of endorsement herald the rare combination of responsibility, innovation and determination she has brought to her past and present public health endeavors, which include public health services manager at the Florida Department of Health–Bay County, her present position.

“This is a woman who gets things done,” said Dr. Donna Petersen, dean of the USF College of Public Health, which has presented the annual recognition since 1988.

“With her help, we’ve changed a community,” said Dr. Douglas Kent in nominating Tipps.  Kent, a 1987 USF COPH graduate, is administrator of the Florida Department of Health–Bay County.

“She has a great attitude and always looks for the best in people,” he added.  “We saved the community $7 million last year with our ER diversion program.  These things don’t always get written up in the press, but it’s pretty amazing for us public health folks.”

 

Tipps’ varied 25-year career shows continuous caring for the people of Northwest Florida.  Prior to her endeavors at FDOH–Bay, she served as director of nursing at FDOH–Jackson County, senior community health nursing supervisor at the Bay County Health Department, director of health care services for Interim Healthcare, a branch administrator for Hospice of the Emerald Coast, clinical coordinator at Covenant Hospice, case manager and admissions nurse at Gentiva Health Care, nursing supervisor at Gulf Coast Convalescent Center, director of surgical units at Columbia Gulf Coast Medical Center, and oncology case manager/assistant department head at Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.

And Tipps has by no means limited her caring and compassion strictly to her official duties.  She has participated avidly in numerous mass vaccination outreach programs that have helped protect the public against influenza, H1N1, WIC and rabies.  She has been instrumental in accommodating clients’ needs by adjusting hours of operation and arranging for additional clinics and providers.  She further contributes to her profession as a writer for CareMap Tools.  A member of the advisory committees for Chipola College and Head Start, she has received statewide recognition for EMR, elab and STI pilot projects.

Tipps is studying for a master’s in nursing leadership at the University of West Florida in Pensacola.  She holds a BSN from UWF and an AND from Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City.

“I’m honored and humbled to be here,” she said.  “You never really know what your accomplishments are.  I’m just doing my job, but it is nice to be recognized.  Thank you very much, and I’ll continue to do my best.”

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Blog on USF’s 2015 National Public Health Week festivities

Story by David Brothers, College of Public Health.