Florida Governor Ron DeSantis used Friday’s announcement to strengthen the state’s health‑care oversight by sending 15 nominees to the Florida Senate for confirmation. The slate covers the Board of Medicine, Board of Pharmacy, Board of Chiropractic Medicine and the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, reflecting a blend of clinical expertise, administrative skill and local leadership.
Board of Medicine selections
Three newcomers join the Board of Medicine: Dr. Andrea Aguilera, an emergency‑room pediatrician with Emergency Resources Group who previously practiced at Nicklaus Children’s Health System; Dr. Lisa Kay Mao, an ophthalmologist with more than three decades of Florida licensure after training at Duke University; and Elyse Young, a veteran of state government who brings two decades of budgeting, public‑finance and health‑policy experience.
Four current members were reappointed: Dr. Scot Ackerman, director of the Ackerman Cancer Center and member of the state’s Cancer Connect Collaborative; Dr. Gobi Balaji, founder and chief executive officer of Brevard Health Center; Dr. Matthew Benson, a pediatric endocrinologist at Nemours Children’s Health; and Dr. Hector Vila, who runs Pediatric Dental Anesthesia Associates and serves as treasurer for the Florida Society of Anesthesiologists.
Board of Pharmacy continuity
All four sitting members up for review were retained. Leigh Mathes, director of operations for Coastal Med of Florida; Cristina Medina, a pharmacist with CVS Health; Darrell Miller, who runs DSM Consultants and formerly served as chief pharmacy officer for Community Health Northwest Florida; and Dorinda Segovia, vice president and chief pharmacy officer for Memorial Healthcare System, will continue to guide pharmacy regulation.
Chiropractic Medicine appointments
Governor DeSantis added Pari Limbachia to the Board of Chiropractic Medicine. Limbachia is clinical director for Shant Wellness and a former instructor at Palmer College of Chiropractic Medicine. He also reappointed Walter Melton, who operates Downtown Chiropractic and Sports Development in Tallahassee and sits on the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ Medical Review Board.
Palm Beach Health Care District leadership
At the local level, former state representative Patrick Rooney was reappointed to the Health Care District of Palm Beach County. Rooney, now president of the Palm Beach Kennel Club, previously served on the South Florida Water Management District. Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County and a 2013 recipient of the Governor’s Ambassador Medal under former Gov. Rick Scott, was also appointed.
Senate confirmation next step
All 15 appointments must be confirmed by the Florida Senate before they can assume their duties. The governor’s selections underscore a focus on seasoned professionals who combine clinical practice with administrative and policy experience, aiming to ensure that Florida’s health‑care system remains responsive to patients and fiscally responsible.
These appointments arrive as the state continues to navigate post‑pandemic health challenges, workforce shortages and evolving regulatory needs. By placing individuals with deep ties to both the medical community and state government, the DeSantis administration signals its commitment to maintaining high standards of care while respecting the role of families and faith‑based values in health decisions.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
