Health in All Places Tour 2015

The Health in All Places (HIAP) Tour is a chance for state, local and community leaders to come together to highlight what each coastal county has to offer when it comes to health. County Health Departments are located in each county that are charged with promoting health and providing necessary health services to their communities. This tour is a chance to highlight those services and how they move health forward in communities across Florida.

Santa Rosa

The first stop on the HIAP tour was an event at Holley-Navarre Middle School. It featured a number of activities including a chat with students about how to achieve their healthiest weight, accolades to county and school officials for putting an emphasis on health, and a demonstration video showing simple, fun exercise techniques to get kids moving led by Dr. Armstrong.

Escambia

Dr. Armstrong then visited Sacred Heart Hospital, which is one of only 10 in the state to receive the Baby Friendly Designation for striving to promote breastfeeding. The event featured a number of hospital and county health department staff who continue to collaborate to increase the number of mothers who successfully breastfeed in the Escambia-County area.

Okaloosa

Dr. Armstong joined Okaloosa County community leaders as they highlighted veterans and the importance of working as a community to move health forward in Florida. Veterans were recognized for their contributions to health in the Okaloosa-area, and health department employees were encouraged to continue working with stakeholders to continue bringing fitness opportunities to residents.

Walton

Dr. Armstrong led kayakers and paddle boarders in a trek around the lake, demonstrating the number of outdoor activities available to residents and visitors in Florida. The event kicked off with a demonstration of water quality testing to show how the department keeps residents healthy and safe through their monitoring efforts. If wrapped up by giving everyone a chance to try their hand at kayaking and paddle boarding in the nearby lake.

Bay

The event at Bay Memorial Park featured encouragement from county and community leaders geared at promoting the beautiful and available recreational opportunities in the area. The event wrapped up with a one-mile walk around the park, led by Dr. Armstrong.

Gulf

This event was held at Cape San Blas, with couty and community leaders encouraging residents to enjoy the beautiful recreational opportunities available in the area. The event wrapped up with a three-mile bike ride through Salina’s Park, led by Dr. Armstrong.  

Franklin

During the event at the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, county and community leaders encouraged residents to enjoy the plentiful outdoor recreational opportunities available in the area. The event wrapped up with a one-mile nature wellness walk through the reserve, led by Dr. Armstrong.

Jefferson

Dr. Armstrong made his way to Wacissa Springs Park, where community leaders and residents joined him in highlighting the importance of getting active. Dr. Armstrong led the group on a canoe ride down the Wacissa River to highlight the many beautiful outdoor opportunities available in Florida. 

Wakulla

At Wakulla Senior Citizens Center, Secretary of Elder Affairs Sam Verghese, community leaders and senior citizens joined Dr. Armstrong to highlight the importance of senior wellness. Dr. Armstrong led the group through a series of stretching exercises designed to help seniors increase strength and stability through simple movements. 

Taylor

During the event at the Boys & Girls Club of North Central Florida more than 40 children and their teachers joined Dr. Armstrong to highlight the importance of getting active at an early age. The children had the opportunity to learn about healthy portions and participated in simple, fun exercises. 

Dixie

Several members of the Dixie County Commission, local leaders and health department staff were recognized for their proven ability to prepare for and respond to severe weather events. This community-wide readiness was highlighted by the recent flood events that brought more than 30 inches of rain to the area in just one week. The event wrapped up with a Florida Health Cleans Up event along Highway 19 to demonstrate to the community one easy way they can get active and make a difference in their community. 

Levy

Dr. Armstrong was joined by school and community leaders at Cedar Key Community School as he learned firsthand about a school garden growing produce to support the community food pantry. In the last three years the students have grown more than five tons of produce to help feed residents in the area. The event included a chance for students to till the school garden alongside Dr. Armstrong and share with him tips of the trade. 

Citrus

Dr. John Armstrong visited Homosassa Springs State Park in Citrus County to highlight their excellence in community outreach. Attendees were able to hear how working together is helping set Citrus County apart when it comes to moving health forward. The event wrapped up with a geocaching exercise led by park rangers and Dr. Armstrong that gave participants the chance to get active, explore nature and have a great time doing it. 

Hernando

Community leaders and residents joined County Health Department staff to celebrate the benefits and availability of local produce, especially blueberries. The event wrapped up with representatives from the local YMCA leading the group through a series of stretches and meditation exercises called Qigong. 

Pasco

Dr. John Armstrong visited Pasco County to highlight their commitment to getting active in the workplace. Community leaders and residents joined County Health Department staff to shine a spotlight on the importance of finding time in the workday to stretch, take walks and eat healthy.