Our Health Officer

Joseph D. Pepe, Ed. D., MSA

Joseph D. Pepe has been the Health Officer of the Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County (DOH-Charlotte) since 2018.

Prior to this role, Pepe served as an emergency planner from 2014 to 2018, developing responses to public health emergencies for the Florida Department of Health.

Before joining the Florida Department of Health, Pepe was executive director at Nova Southeastern University from 1999 to 2012 and the executive vice president of administration at Hodges University from 2012 to 2014, leading campuses in multiple states and three countries. During that time, Pepe launched several medical and allied health programs along with several community partnerships such as the Medical Reserve Corps and the American Legion Post 1 to support veterans returning home.

Pepe is a board member for Gulf Coast Partnership, Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland, Inc., and Lake Okeechobee Rural Health Network. He also serves in an advisory capacity to several non-profit organizations.

Pepe is a former board member for Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, Inc., Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida, and the Family Self-Sufficiency Program. He is also the former chair of the SW Florida Regional HIV/AIDS Consortia and the Hendry County Emergency Services Council.

Currently, Pepe is working with community partners to develop a comprehensive strategy to improve the lives of all Charlotte County residents.

Pepe has presented at several statewide conferences on Adverse Childhood Experiences and their impact upon health and academic achievement. He has also served as an adjunct professor at Barry University, teaching graduate courses in administration.

Pepe holds a doctorate degree in education from Nova Southeastern University’s Fischler School of Education and Human Services, a master’s in administration from Central Michigan University, and a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of South Florida.