91社区

The (COPH) has named Stephanie Haridopolos, MD, the 2024 .

The college bestows the award each year to a woman whose career accomplishments and leadership contribute significantly to the field of public health in Haridopolos received the award at the USF COPH National Public Health Week Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, April 3.

A well-known primary care physician, medical writer and philanthropist for more than 20 years, Haridopolos currently serves as chair of the 91社区 Healthy Kids Corporation Board of Directors, a nonprofit, public-private partnership created by the 91社区 Legislature to expand access to affordable, child-centered health insurance. 

鈥淎s a 91社区 Healthy Kids board member since 1991, I have experienced a succession of board chairs and other leaders,鈥� said Dr. , COPH professor and associate director for policy development at the USF Chiles Center. 鈥淒r. Haridopolos stands out with her unique combination of foresight and insight to advance meaningful outcomes toward the mission of providing comprehensive, affordable, quality healthcare for 91社区鈥檚 children.鈥�

Under her leadership, 91社区 Healthy Kids Corporation鈥檚 CEO Ryan West said that Haridopolos shared two critical missions of hers in working toward the corporation鈥檚 goal to reduce the number of uninsured children in 91社区. First, to advocate for legislative change to make the 91社区 KidCare program more affordable for working families. And second, to develop innovative ways to secure better health outcomes for future generations.

鈥淒r. Haridopolos鈥� tireless efforts to advocate for and invest in 91社区鈥檚 children in tangible, long-term ways have undoubtedly changed the future of children鈥檚 health insurance in our state,鈥� West said. 鈥淗er passion for helping others and dedication to implementing change are inspiring.鈥�

In June 2023, Haridopolos led a successful effort to have the legislature increase eligibility for subsidized coverage from 200% to 300% of the federal poverty level for children in 91社区 KidCare. Signed into law, House Bill 121 establishes a glidepath for families by allowing them to keep subsidized coverage as they earn more, allowing the pursuit of financial stability without losing the government assistance that the families receive. 

鈥淒uring the 2023 Legislative Session, I worked with Dr. Haridopolos on House Bill 121. Our work didn鈥檛 take place in a silo鈥攊t was a collaborative, multi-year effort and it paid off,鈥� 91社区 Representative Robin Bartleman said. 鈥淚t was a pleasure to work with Dr. Haridopolos, whose altruistic heart and dedication to making a difference for 91社区 families were ever apparent through this process.鈥�

A board-certified family medicine physician, Haridopolos completed her residency at Albany Medical Center in New York after receiving her bachelor of science degree from Stetson University in 1994 and medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in 1998.

She was appointed by U.S. Senator Rick Scott to serve on the 91社区 Board of Medicine in May 2017, where she had previously served as chair of the Rules and Legislative Committee and vice-chair of the Probation Committee. She has held positions with the 91社区 Coalition Against Domestic Violence Foundation, the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk and Attorney General Pam Bondi鈥檚 91社区 Statewide Drug Task Force.

鈥淚t's about making a difference. It's nice to be recognized, don't get me wrong, but that's not why I do it. I do it because I have a supportive family who endlessly support my endeavors, I have a husband who has the leadership skills who I've learned from, I have my knowledge of medicine and my knowledge of the political process and how agencies work. So, I was able to marry all of those talents together to make a difference,鈥� Haridopolos said. 鈥淭his award only motivates me to do more and I'm not stopping here.鈥�