Meet Gayle

State Senator Gayle Harrell

Gayle Harrell represents Florida Senate District 25, which includes Martin and St. Lucie Counties and part of Palm Beach County.  She was elected to the Florida Senate in November 2018 after serving eight terms in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000-2008 and 2010-2018. 

Senator Harrell has over 25 years of experience in healthcare.  She worked as a Healthcare Administrator, managing the Ob-Gyn. practice of Dr. James E. Harrell and was the founder of the Breast Imaging Center, a mammography center specializing in preventive care for women.  Her experience in healthcare has made her a leader in setting healthcare policy for the State of Florida

Senator Harrell is Chair of Committee on Health Policy and Vice Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services.  Senator Harrell is also a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Criminal and Civil Justice; Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Military and Veterans Affairs and Space and the Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight. 

Senator Harrell has won numerous awards for her legislative service. Among her many awards she has received the Legislator of the Year by the Florida Medical Association, the Legislative Leadership Award by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Legislative Award by the Florida Children’s Forum, an “A” Ranking by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Friend of Free Enterprise Award by the Associated Builders and Contractors, the Legislative Achievement Award by Keep Florida Beautiful, and the Distinguished Legislator Award by the Florida Police Benevolent Association. She has been recognized at the national level as Legislator of the Year by Health Information Systems Society (HIMSS) and Exceptional Legislator Award by the Schizophrenia & Related Disorders Alliance of America (SARDAA)

A resident of Florida’s Treasure Coast for over 49 years, Senator Harrell is committed to serving our community having served on the boards of many local civic organizations such as Hibiscus Children’s Center, Education Foundation of Martin County, Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties, HPS – Helping People Succeed and advisory board member of Center for Constitutional Values.  She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish and a Master’s Degree in Latin American History from the University of Florida where she received the Edith Bristol Tigert award as an Outstanding Female Graduate and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

Gayle was married to Dr. James Harrell (deceased) for 53 years, has four children and eight grandchildren, and is an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Stuart.

Legislative Awards

2020 – National Exceptional Legislator – Schizophrenia & Related Disorders of America

2020 – Legislator of the Year – Florida Assisted Living Association

2020 – Florida PTA Legislator of the Year

2019 – Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida – Legislative Champion

2019 – Florida Medical Association Legislator of the Year

2019 – FSR Legislator of the Year

2019 – American College of Physicians Legislator of the Year

2019 – Emerald Health Care Center Award

2019 – Florida Chamber of Commerce Honor Roll

2019 – Florida Community Health Centers, Inc. Partner in Health Award

2019 – Florida Society of Anesthesiologists Legislator of the Year

2019 – Florida Coalition for Children – Lifetime Achievement Award for Children

2018 – “A” Ranking – Florida Chamber of Commerce

2018 – Treasure Coast Builders Home Town Hero Award

2018 – FL Association of School Psychologists – Legislator of the Year

2018 – “A+” Rating – Americans For Prosperity

2017 – Place of Hope Treasure Coast – Child Advocacy Hero

2017 – FL College of Emergency Physicians Advocate for Emergency Care Award.

2017 – Florida Renal Coalition Legislative Champion Award

2017 – Florida Hospice & Palliative Care “Hospice Champion” Award

2017 – Innocence Project of Florida Recognition Award for “Championing the Eyewitness Identification Reform Act”.

2017 – Florida Chapter Amer. Academy of Pediatrics Child Safety Advocate of the Year

2017 – “A” Ranking – Florida Chamber of Commerce

2016 – Legislator of the Year – Florida Council for Community Mental Health

2016 – Dr. Lewis Earle Legislative Service Award – Florida Dental Association

2016 – Special Recognition Award for Advocacy and Commitment to Florida’s Children, Families and Seniors – National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Florida Chapter

2016 – Legislative Award of Excellence – Healing Hands, Inc.

2016 – “A” Ranking – Associated Industries of Florida

2016 – “A+” Ranking – Florida Foundation for Florida’s Future

2016 – “A” Ranking – Florida Chamber of Commerce

2016 – Conservative Achievement Award – American Conservative Union

2016 – Florida Association of Centers for Independent Living – Legislator of the Year

2016 – Florida Children’s Home Society – Legislator of the Year

2015 – Bishop Frank Costantino Annual Award for Legislative Excellence – Florida Smart Justice Alliance

2015 – Legislator of the Year Award – The Florida Coalition for Children

2015 – Legislator of the Year – Children’s Home Society of Florida

2015 – Outstanding Service to the Florida Recovery Community – Florida Association of Recovery Residences

2015 – Legislative Award of Appreciation – Florida Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics

2015 – Legislator of the Year – Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association

2015 – Legislator of the Year – Florida Mental Health Association

2015 – Legislative Appreciation Award – Florida League of Cities

2015 – Legislative Leadership Award – Place of Hope

2015 – Legislative Award of Excellence – Healing Hands, Inc.

2015 – Legislative Award of Appreciation – Alzheimer’s Community Care

2015 – Honor Role – Florida Chamber of Commerce

2015 – “A” Ranking – Associated Industries of Florida

2015 – “A” Ranking – Florida Healthcare Association

2015 – “Friend of Free Enterprise”, Associated Builders and Contractors

2014 – Legislative Award of Appreciation – Florida Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics

2014 – Advocate of the Year – Guardian Ad Litem Community 19th Judicial Circuit

2014 – “A” Ranking – The Foundation for Florida’s Future

2014 – “A” Ranking – Florida Chamber of Commerce

2014 – “Friend of Free Enterprise”, Associated Builders and Contractors

2013 – “A” Ranking, Florida Medical Association

2013 – ACU Conservative Award, The American Conservative Union

2013 – “A” Ranking – The Foundation for Florida’s Future

2013 – “A” Ranking – Florida Chamber of Commerce

2012 – “A” Ranking, Florida Medical Association

2012 – “A” Ranking – Florida Chamber of Commerce

2012 – Defender of Freedom Award, The American Conservative Union

2012 – “Friend of Free Enterprise”, Associated Builders and Contractors

2011 – “A” Ranking – Florida Chamber of Commerce

2011 – Defender of Freedom Award, The American Conservative Union

2011 – National Legislator of the Year, HIMSS (Health Information Management Systems Society)

2011 – Legislator of the Year, Florida Society of Dermatology

2011 – Legislator of the Year, Florida Dental Association

2011 – “A” Ranking, Florida Medical Association

2011– “A” Ranking – Florida Chamber of Commerce

2011 – Friend of Free Enterprise, Associated Builders and Contractors

2008 – Legislator of the Year, Florida Dental Association

2008 – Faith and Family Award, Christian Coalition of Florida

2008 – “A” Ranking – Florida Chamber of Commerce

2007 – Legislator of the Year, American Lung Association, Florida Division

2007 – Legislator of the Year, American Cancer Society, Florida Division

2007 – Friend of Free Enterprise, Associated Builders and Contractors

2007 – Faith and Family Award, Christian Coalition of Florida

2007 – “A” Ranking – Florida Chamber of Commerce

2006 – Legislator of the Year, Florida Society of Health-System Pharmacist

2006 – Legislative Award, Florida Public Health Association

2006 – Faith and Family Award, Christian Coalition of Florida

2006 – “A” Ranking – Florida Chamber of Commerce

2006 – Friend of Free Enterprise, Associated Builders and Contractors

2006 “100 %” Ranking, Florida Medical Association

2005 – Legislative Award, Florida Association of Health Plans

2005 – Business Advocate of the Year, Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce

2005 – Champion Award, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Martin/St. Lucie Chapter

2005 – Leadership Award, Florida Regional Planning Councils Association

2005 – “A” Ranking – Florida Chamber of Commerce

2005 – Friend of Free Enterprise, Associated Builders and Contractors

2005 – Faith and Family Award, Christian Coalition of Florida

2004 – County Champion Award, Florida Association of Counties

2004 – Legislator of the Year, Florida Society of Emergency Physicians

2004 – Legislator of the Year, Florida Medical Association

2004 – Legislative Leadership Award, Mothers Against Drunk Driving

2004 – Legislator of the Year, Florida Osteopathic Medical Association

2004 – Legislator of the Year, Florida Society of Dermatology

2004 – Faith and Family Award, Christian Coalition of Florida

2003 – Legislative Award, Florida Children’s Forum

2003 – Legislator of the Year, Florida Academy of Family Physicians

2003 – “A” Ranking – Florida Chamber of Commerce

2003 – Friend of Free Enterprise, Associated Builders and Contractors

2002 – Susan and V.A. Marks Lifetime Achievement Award, Florida Medical Association

2002 – Legislator of the Year Award, Florida Society of Dermatology

2002 – Legislative Achievement Award, Keep Florida Beautiful

2002 – Legislative Achievement Award, American Heart Association

2002 – Legislative Award, Trust for Public Lands

2001 – Distinguished Legislator Award, Florida Police Benevolent Association

2001 – Friend of Free Enterprise Award, Associated Builders and Contractors

2001 – Legislative Award, American Cancer Society

2001 – Freshmen Legislator of the Year Award, Florida Medical Association

Community Awards and Service

2017 – Pan American Round Table of the Treasure Coast 25th Anniversary Appreciation Award

2016 – Advocacy Award – New Horizons

2016 – Child Advocacy Hero – Place of Hope, Treasure Coast

2015 – SAGE Nominee – Martin County Council on Aging

2015 – Shining Star Award – Treasure Coast Children’s Home Society of Florida

2015 – Appreciation Award – Hibiscus Children’s Center

2014 – Veteran’s Nursing Home Appreciation Award – St. Lucie County

2005 – Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Martin/St. Lucie Chapter – Champion Award

2005 – Business Advocate of the Year – Stuart/Martin County Chamber Of Commerce

2002 – Power Woman of the Year, Ladies Power Lunch Bunch – Treasure Coast

1998 – Florida Belle Chenault Award – for patient advocacy. Florida Medical Association

1996 – Martin County Woman Of Distinction – Private Sector 1992 – Outstanding Volunteer of the Year in Social Services – United Way of Martin County