Photo: Florida Department of Health
The Palm Beach County Commission has given unanimous approval to a new Health Director.
The board on Tuesday voted to concur with Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo's appointment of Dr. Jyothi Gunta. She will take over for Dr. Alina Alonso, who retires at the end of February after 13 years in charge of the health department locally.
"It is my pleasure to bring someone that will be replacing me. She will make a great new director."
Alonso steps down at the end of February after spending more than thirty years with the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach. She's been health director since 2009.
Alonso guided the county through the COVID pandemic, making frequent appearances before the Commission to present data and advice to fight the virus.
She joked about Gunta being concerned that she wouldn't be able to "fill her shoes," saying her "comfortable shoes are going with me."
Gunta received her masters degree from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale and previously served a residency under Alonso at the Department of Health, later working in the ER at the West Palm Beach Medical Center.
She is currently medical director at an urgent care facility in Delray Beach.
Dr. Gunta starts her work as Health Director for Palm Beach County on March 1, 2023.