Deanna "Dee" Schaeffer
President and CEO,
Healthy Communities and Governmental Affairs Officer
Deanna Schaeffer is President and CEO of Healthy Communities, an affiliate of Halifax Health. She is also the Governmental Affairs Officer for the system and is active in local, state and federal health policy initiatives.
Schaeffer began her career with Halifax Health in 1993 following several years of service in administration, program development and contract management with state government. She was named President and CEO of Healthy Communities in 1995 to oversee the Healthy-Kids child health insurance federal demonstration program. Results of this pilot program led to Healthy-Kids being recognized and replicated as a model for the state and nation.
She is an engaged community leader and current affiliations include: Chair of the Flagler/Volusia Behavioral Health Consortium; Chair of the United Way Public Policy Council; ad hoc member of the Florida Healthy-Kids Corporation Board, Vice-Chair of the Homeless Coalition for Volusia/Flagler and member of the Workforce Development Board. Several community and health and human services organizations have recognized her for her advocacy and involvement in enhancing health and social services.
Schaeffer effectively represents Halifax Health on the Florida Trauma Center Alliance, the Low Income Pool Council, the Florida Hospital Association Government Relations Executives Council, the Florida Hospital Association Uninsured Committee, the Government Relations Representatives of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, the Graduate Medical Education Workgroup, the Family Practice Teaching Hospital Association, the National Association of Public Hospitals and the Volusia County Governmental Affairs Coalition.
She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, from which she earned her undergraduate degree as well as her Master's degree in Public Administration.
