barbara sharief_web.jpgBroward County Commissioner Barbara Sharief was recently named vice-chairwoman of the Health and Human Services Policy Committee of the Florida Association of Counties (FAC). The new FAC president, Martin County Commissioner Doug Smith, named Sharief to the position.

FAC policy committees work with commissioners from around the state to build the association's legislative platform for the coming year and set FAC legislative priorities.

“I have an extensive background in health-care management and will use this experience to develop and push forward FAC's legislative priorities this year.” Sharief said in a statement announcing her appointment. “The ability to provide quality and affordable health care is perhaps the most important issue facing our state and our country.”


Sharief testified in March, before the Florida House Health and Human Services Committee on Medicaid reform and her testimony resulted in several changes and amendments in the House Bill that were included in Broward County's legislative package, the statement said.

Sharief holds  bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing and an advanced registered nurse practitioner degree from Florida International University.

In 2001, she visualized and created what is now known as South Florida Pediatric Homecare Inc. 

Prior to her election to the Broward County Commission in 2010, Sharief served as vice mayor and city commissioner of Miramar.