“He was my hero and such a good boss. Dr. Lawrence was one of a kind and is very deserving of this nomination. He treated all his employees as equals—everybody really.
The way he did his job, everybody admired him.” —Maggie Zuroski, former employee
The Longest Standing Health Officer in Lee County By Diane Holm, Public Information Officer, Healthy Communities Healthy People Coordinator, Lee County
Joseph Lawrence, MD LEE COUNTY
Joseph Lawrence, MD, holds the honor of being the longest standing health officer in Lee County. Dr. Lawrence guided the evolution of public health with a focus on disease prevention in order to lower instances of treatment.
Southwest
On June 3, 1957, in what was a rural Lee County where cattle grazed on the river alongside people swimming and bathing, he began his work in public health. Dr. Lawrence obtained community interest through education about maintaining good health in the fastgrowing population. He led community collaborations between public and private entities to establish three health institutions that still serve Lee County today: Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida, Lee County Mosquito Control and the Visiting Nurse Association (now part of Hope Hospice). The Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida began as a federally funded migrant clinic during Dr. Lawrence’s 10th year as Lee County’s health officer. The initial grant provided for a nurse, a sanitarian and a part-time clerk. Lee County’s original migrant clinic provided immunizations and education on the importance of improving environmental health conditions in migrant housing. Dr. Lawrence was a supporter of Lee County Mosquito Control in its work to diminish mosquitoborne disease transmission, and his efforts improved the quality of life in the community. He encouraged the
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presence of the Visiting Nurse Association to increase care for seasonal and terminally ill patients. Dr. Lawrence also oversaw the operations of mass immunization clinics to promote the prevention of polio and measles outbreaks. He facilitated the transformation of the community from an age where pit privies dominated, to a time when municipal sewage became the norm. He helped eradicate hookworm and established the importance of childhood immunizations. His warm and friendly demeanor gave health maintenance and disease prevention a firm foundation. Dr. Lawrence is best remembered for his unique personality and genuine sense of humor that stirred community leaders and the public to prioritize disease prevention and health promotion. “He was my hero and such a good boss. Dr. Lawrence was one of a kind and is very deserving of this nomination,” said Maggie Zuroski who served as the business manager under Dr. Lawrence. “He treated all his employees as equals—everybody really. The way he did his job, everybody admired him.”