What inspired you to work in community health/healthcare?

After finishing medical school in my native country, the Dominican Republic, I was sent for a year to work independently in a remote rural clinic to complete my training. I would see patients come to the clinic repeatedly with the same conditions: malnourishment, parasitic infestations, and infectious diseases. I would provide medications and provide instructions, but then the patients would go back to a community that lacked running water, access to healthy foods, and a sanitation system. The community was relying on the government to provide solutions to improve their environment. Ultimately, community organizations, mainly those run by women, began tackling each of these issues with new programs. One year turned into six years. As the community obtained running water and implemented nutrition education, food cooperatives, sanitation programs, and women’s health programs, we saw a noticeable change in the health of the patients coming into our clinics. It really taught me that the health of individuals starts in the community in which they reside.

Tell us about your very first job.

The summer after I turned 12, I took a job at a factory helping to pack women’s underwear. My family and I had recently arrived in the US. We needed this extra income. Although I was only 12, I had reached my full adult height at that age and was very mature, so I was able to pass for an 18-year-old. One word I could say to define that job was “boring.” However, it taught me self-discipline and how to make the best of any situation.

What do you find the most rewarding about your work now?

The most rewarding part of my job is seeing the impact the program has on people’s lives. Seeing the difference it makes for families who are struggling to care for a loved one at home and witnessing how their faces relax with a sense of hope and relief after just a few weeks. It’s gratifying to see a patient with dementia enter the program distraught, fearful, and sometimes even combative, and gradually transform into a calm person who feels safe and at home, able to engage in activities they used to enjoy. When we can connect families to community services that they were not even aware existed, it allows them to care for their loved ones in the best possible way while maintaining dignity and minimizing disruption to the family’s life.

Tell us about your proudest day or moment on or off the job?

My proudest moments away from work have been seeing my children walk across the stage to receive their college diplomas. Professionally, I am most proud that the program that I founded 40 years ago in the Dominican Republic is still in existence and that the communities felt so empowered that they applied the same concept of self-determination to other social determinants of health such as education and transportation.

What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid and why?

When I was 5, I remember collecting leaves from the garden to place on a neighbor’s forehead so that her headache would go away. She told me she felt better and asked me if I was going to be a doctor when I grew up, and I said yes. This was always the same response throughout the years. Although I was very good in math and most teachers thought I would become an engineer, I could not see myself working without being able to engage directly with people. I get immense satisfaction from knowing an action taken by me can enhance a person’s quality of life.

What woman inspires you and why.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta has been my inspiration throughout my life. She chose to live with—and for—the poorest of the poor. She led by example and with humility. She demonstrated the power of acceptance, compassion, and kindness to all, regardless of origin or differences, in elevating the dignity of all humans.

Finish this sentence: I believe…

Every person should have the opportunity to live, age, and die how they choose. People should be able to live with quality of life and dignity, regardless of their stage in life and diverse backgrounds.

What is the most exciting thing you and your organization accomplished this year?

We applied for and obtained a grant to increase access to adult day care services for people who are unable to afford the service and are not eligible to attend through any of the existing community programs. This grant will allow many families to return to work and seniors with dementia to be engaged in cognitively and socially stimulating activities. Through this grant, they will receive support in accessing other much-needed services besides daycare.

Describe your perfect day.

Family is the most important part of my life.  For the last six years, I have been a full-time caregiver for my mother with dementia. A perfect day would be one where my brothers, my children, my grandchildren, and my husband have all gathered at my mother’s home, and my mother is aware and happy to be surrounded by the family.

Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you.

Most people do not know that for many years my only mode of transportation was a motorcycle. I did not learn to drive a car until I was 38. 

What inspired you to work in community health/healthcare?

My father was a pediatrician, and I always admired the difference he made in the lives of the children in our community. I thought about a direct patient care profession myself, but when I took organic chemistry in college, I decided that going into the business aspect of healthcare might be the better path for me.

Tell us about your very first job.

I worked in my father’s medical office as well as my uncle’s dental office. Working with them to take care of patients started me on my healthcare journey.

What do you find the most rewarding about your work now?

As the first woman on the executive team for Memorial Healthcare system, I find the opportunities to mentor others to be the most rewarding, especially female leaders who are motivated to grow in their career.

Tell us about your proudest day or moment on or off the job?

I have two children and my proudest moments usually involve them. I am looking forward to becoming a grandma. We are expecting a granddaughter in April of this year.

What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid and why?

As a kid, I dreamed about being a mom. Having a family has always been very important to me. I feel blessed that I was able to achieve that goal while also balancing a career.

What woman inspires you and why.

My mom really inspires me. I have looked up to her my whole life. She is kind and courageous. At 40, she decided to go to law school and begin a law career to help others.

Finish this sentence: I believe…

You can achieve anything if you believe in yourself.

What is the most exciting thing you and your organization accomplished this year?

Over the last 18 years in my role as CEO of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, we built the first freestanding Children’s Hospital in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. This past year, we expanded the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital by four floors, increasing it from just four stories to eight. It is not just the facility that makes me proud. It is the people in it.

Describe your perfect day.

Spending time on our boat with my family, enjoying the beautiful South Florida weather.

Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you.

Most people do not know that I am 100 percent Italian. My maiden name is Angella. Marrying my husband, I now have a French-Canadian name that no one can pronounce!

What inspired you to work in community health/healthcare?

I wanted to change the world. At first glance, that might seem cliché. However, through my work in local government, I had the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact we can make as individuals and through collaborative efforts. As a young girl, I lived in a rural town in Puerto Rico located right next to multiple petroleum refineries. My father worked in one of them. When driving by the refineries, all I could smell was a foul odor emitted by the fumes. I became curious about how pollution was hindering the health of those in my community, and it wasn’t long before I found my calling. During school science fairs, I chose projects about water and air pollution. In high school, I met with the Dean of my university. He said, “You should study something that you are so passionate about that you would do it for free.” The answer was clear to me.

Tell us about your very first job.

After graduating from college, I started working as an environmental specialist for a consulting company in Puerto Rico. The primary focus of this company was to work with low-income communities impacted by pollution. Through grassroots efforts, we were able to assess environmental and health effects and connect residents to the assistance they needed, including in my own hometown. I was motivated to shed light on the prevalence of environmental and socio-economic injustices.

What do you find the most rewarding about your work now?

By connecting small and minority-owned businesses and entrepreneurs to free resources, information, and opportunities, I have had the pleasure of helping them achieve their goals. Starting and growing a business is no easy task. Many startup businesses fail during the first few years, and those numbers are even higher for minority-owned small businesses. Through my work, I can help business owners fight against these odds.

Tell us about your proudest day or moment on or off the job?

The day I became a mother of two bright, beautiful young women will forever be my proudest. They teach me to see the world through different lenses. They have given me the strength to overcome any challenge I’ve faced raising them as a single mom.

What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid and why?

At an early age I wanted to be Wonder Woman. I know that may sound silly, but she was strong and fought for justice, so I stand by it. After witnessing firsthand the socio-economic and environmental challenges in my hometown, I wanted to see what I could to make my own impact. This sparked my interest in environmental science and regional planning. I may not be Wonder Woman, but in my current role, I help level the playing field to promote equal access to assistance and resources for residents, businesses, and entrepreneurs. I believe that is a superpower!

What woman inspires you and why.

Mi Mamita—my mother—is my role model and inspires me because she is the strongest and most resilient person I know. She is selfless, honest, and compassionate. She tells me to always do my best, help others, and reach for the stars.

Finish this sentence: I believe…

That a strong local economy must provide equal employment opportunities that directly affect the health and well-being of all residents and businesses.

What is the most exciting thing you and your organization accomplished this year?
During its last fiscal year, Broward County committed over $355 million to certified small businesses on county-funded projects. We also hosted and/or participated in 114 workshops and webinars and reached over 10,000 participants.

Describe your perfect day.

I wake up early to watch the sunrise in Hollywood Beach and listen to the waves and the birds sing while enjoying my cafecito. After work, at the end of the day, I’d have mofongo for dinner and then go salsa dancing.

Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you.

Remember when I mentioned I wanted to be Wonder Woman? Well, I did jump out of a plane for my 40th birthday!

What inspired you to work in community health/healthcare?

The correlation between community health and low educational achievement, high crime, poverty, poor nutritional health, disease, and obesity. Growing up in a community that lacked quality health services and resources provided me with a clear understanding of the negative impact that presents. I wanted to be a part of the solution and recognized that each of us can make a difference—even if we do not live in a zip code plagued by health inequities. I am inspired by the needs and understand that we have a collective responsibility to respond. For me, because of my lived experience, it’s very personal.

Tell us about your very first job.

I worked on Rikers Island as a Correctional Counselor. It was one of the most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had. I worked directly with inmates, providing supportive services and guidance. Sometimes it was as simple as providing writing paper; other times it was something as serious as notifying someone of a loved one’s death and helping to handle logistics so they could attend the funeral. I met so many inmates who were first-time offenders. I came to understand communities where they lived and how they contributed to their incarceration. I started a job readiness program to help inmates prepare for employment upon release. I also began a book club, soliciting donated books from a local library. I encouraged and empowered inmates to see what was possible once they were released and how they could begin to work towards it while they were incarcerated.

What do you find the most rewarding about your work now?

I get to live my purpose—inspiring hope, change, and growth. I create programs and services that address the disparities in health and human services; advocate for marginalized communities lacking resources and social supports; help people in need navigate the complex social services system; and I empower them to use their voices confidently to gain access to services that were previously inaccessible.

Tell us about your proudest day or moment on or off the job?

Although I have since received a doctoral degree, my proudest day was when I received my master’s degree. I made a lot of personal sacrifices to ensure financial stability. I’ve always understood that education can help bridge economic and social inequities.

What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid and why?

I dreamed of becoming an actress. I excelled in drama club, loved being onstage, and envisioned myself receiving awards for portraying characters and captivating audiences. I thought it was such a glamorous profession.

What woman inspires you and why.

Michelle Obama inspires me because she shares a passion for working with people and improving the community. Her confidence is apparent in her ability to be her authentic self, refusing to compromise her values. She is the backbone of her family, supporting her husband, children, mother, and brother. Her achievements prior to becoming First Lady also stand on their own merit.

Finish this sentence: I believe…

In showing up for others in ways that bring out their best at the time when they need it most.

What is the most exciting thing you and your organization accomplished this year?

We launched a new initiative called, The Parking Lot Project. We identify newly homeless individuals and families living in their cars and hiding in plain sight—in parking lots at Walmart, hospitals, gyms, gas stations. We then offer comprehensive services, including access to nutritious meals, shower facilities, health services, homework assistance, laundry services, rental assistance, gas cards, referrals, case management and daily activities.

Describe your perfect day.

I wake up and everyone I love is in good physical and mental health, financially secure, happy, and safe. I get to help others who are striving for the same thing.

Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you.

I tried my hand at being an author. After having a dream that I’d written a book, I self-published a youth self-help book. I also have two additional unpublished manuscripts.

What inspired you to work in community health/healthcare?

I was born and raised in Miami and have always loved our community. My interest in medicine began at an early age, and once I became a pediatrician, I knew that I wanted to improve the health of children and my community.

Tell us about your very first job.

My first job was working with my grandfather installing air-conditioning shutters on rooftops. It was a summer job, so you can imagine how incredibly hot and exhausting it was. Nevertheless, I loved every minute of it. I wasn’t very good with a drill, but he taught me so much about life, patience, and hard work. That summer, spending time with my granddaddy is among my favorite childhood memories.

What do you find the most rewarding about your work now?

Taking care of children, especially the underserved, and teaching the next generation of pediatricians the importance of health equity for all kids.

Tell us about your proudest day or moment on or off the job?

The day that my daughter, Katie, was born.

What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid and why?

I have an innate desire to help others and I love science. Becoming a doctor was a perfect profession to marry those two interests.

What woman inspires you and why.

Michelle Obama. She embodies all of what we strive for as women. Love for family and country, humility, grace, authenticity, care, and respect for all humankind. She truly aspires to make the world a better place.

Finish this sentence: I believe…

That no matter how challenging life can be, everything will work out for the better and good will prevail.

What is the most exciting thing you and your organization accomplished this year?

Through our school health and mobile clinic programs, we were able to provide medical care to thousands of underserved children and administer over 10,000 vaccinations.

Describe your perfect day.

Going to wineries with friends where we can drink wine, eat charcuterie goodies, laugh, cry, share stories, and support one another.

Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you.

I was Orange Bowl Queen in 1989 and Miss Miami in 1991.

What inspired you to work in community health/healthcare?

While on a quest for my life purpose in 2004, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I never asked why. I asked: what for? I understood my risks, was insured, and had access to the best care. Early detection made all the difference in a successful outcome. Throughout treatment and recovery, I thought about those who did not have the same opportunities. One year later the “what for?” became what is now known as the Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative, an organization that transforms and saves lives through disease prevention and early detection.

Tell us about your very first job.

Inadvertently, I believe that I have come full circle in my purpose. My first job as a teenager was doing door-to-door sales. Decades later, an epiphany compelled me to go door-to-door to provide resources directly to at-risk women. With more than 15,000 volunteers educated, trained, and deployed to knock on nearly 130,000 doors across three South Florida counties, I could have never imagined that a job that I was so uncomfortable with, later in life, would touch and help save so many lives!

What do you find the most rewarding about your work now?

Its resilience. For 14 years prior to the pandemic, our core program was targeted door-to-door outreach. That was our organization’s award-winning identity. We collaborated with colleges and universities, hospital systems, medical partners, local government, and non-traditional retail partners to accomplish our mission. In March 2020, due to the pandemic, our door-to-door outreach campaigns were suspended. Crisis became opportunity. In that same year, we were able to reimagine service delivery and launch two innovative and highly effective programs serving the same populations where they work and where they attend college through our Workplace Wellness and Virtual Advocate programs.

Tell us about your proudest day or moment on or off the job?

I was nominated to become a CNN Hero. Then privileged to be recognized as a top 10 CNN Hero. My proudest day was attending the awards program with family and friends at the Kodak theater in Hollywood, CA. I was seated with my beloved husband in the second row. He was so proud! My father was in the theater. Pierce Brosnan introduced me, and I remember walking up the stairs to the stage for him to present me with the award. It was surreal. It is a proud moment when James Bond/007 tells your story and presents you with an award.

What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid and why?

At a young age, I remember being given the game, Operation. After that, I wanted to become a doctor so that I could help save lives. That did not happen. However, every time our organization shares the early detection recommendations and disease prevention strategies, it provides an opportunity to help save lives.

What woman inspires you and why.

One of many women who inspires me is Linda Cruse. She is a frontline humanitarian and a true change agent. Through her programs, Linda mobilizes, educates, and empowers students to address critical problems in their communities by developing and implementing impactful solutions. Her empathetic and inclusive approach is enabling future generations to become changemakers.

Finish this sentence: I believe…

That everyone over the age of 18 should know and practice the early detection recommendations and risk reduction strategies for heart disease and breast cancer, two leading causes of largely preventable deaths in America. Through disease prevention and early detection, we can have more time with family, friends, and live our best lives.

What is the most exciting thing you and your organization accomplished this year?

I’m excited to share that the first official Florida license plate designed to support “Disease Prevention & Early Detection” was created. In true grassroots fashion, college students who benefited from our work participated in a civic engagement project. They emailed and called our legislators to tell them how our organization made an impact on their lives, and then asked them to support passing the bill. It was so exciting to work alongside the next generation to make this happen. Once in circulation, the license plate will support increased education and awareness relating to early detection, prevention, and screening of breast and heart issues.

Describe your perfect day.

My perfect day begins and ends with gratitude. Gratitude for my family and friends, for the opportunity to make a positive impact in our community, for the ability to impact future generations, and for all those who serve alongside me. I am also grateful for the successes, the challenges and for growth.

Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you.

I raise butterflies. The splendor of their metamorphoses and the beauty of their flight are intriguing. There is just something so magical about them.

What inspired you to work in community health/healthcare?

When I was a young teen in Jamaica visiting the workplace of a friend’s mom, I saw a child probably a year or two younger than me, who was severely abused. I remember thinking that someone had to be a voice for this child and others like him who couldn’t fight for themselves. At first, I wanted to be a social worker like my friend’s mom but today I know I took the right path in my career, which has culminated in the work I do now at the Health Council of South Florida. Each day in my role, I can have a much broader impact, both directly and indirectly, on the health and quality of life for so many residents in our community.

Tell us about your very first job.

My first job upon receiving my undergraduate degree was with the State of Florida in the HRS Department, now known as DCF. In my role as a Public Assistance Specialist, I was tasked with interviewing and approving qualified residents to receive Medicaid, food stamps, and cash assistance. This gave me a bird’s eye view into the life of the people being served and often the circumstances they faced daily. The desire for me was simply to make a difference and help people in need. At the time, I did not realize it, but this was my entry point to working with underserved individuals and understanding the impact social determinants of health have on these populations. Clearly this job never left me and has come full circle today because now I lead a group of passionate individuals who connect residents in our community to these very same health and social services.

What do you find the most rewarding about your work now?

The ability to make a difference! Whether it is connecting someone to services that can change their health status or improving the way they live by providing housing support or showing the data about the health of our community to help inform decision-makers and leaders in our community, this is the work that brings me joy. Sometimes you can see the impact immediately, other times it takes a bit more time. But just knowing the work we do can make a difference drives me each day.

Tell us about your proudest day or moment on or off the job?

While I won’t say giving birth was my proudest moment (certainly I was not looking my best during labor!), it gave me an avenue to experience joy and pride each day in all the things my daughter does. I experience it in all the little and big moments—when we are just sitting and talking, when she achieves honor roll at school, when I witness her caring for others more than herself. In all these moments, I can see that she is going to be an amazing human being. And that’s what I am most proud of.

What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid and why?

As a child, I loved to read, and my face was always stuck between the pages of a book. I toyed with the idea of being a journalist, but after witnessing the abuse of that child, I knew I wanted to be a social worker.

What woman inspires you and why.

My family is filled with many strong female role models and among them, my grandmother inspires me most! She did not finish high school, yet she insisted I receive a good education. She was as tough as nails, but she was the kindest and most compassionate soul. She preferred to socialize with people upon whom society often looked down. She instilled that humility in me—the idea that you were no better than anyone else and should treat people equally. Although she is no longer with us, I carry her and her teachings in my heart each day. As a legacy, I gave my daughter her middle name, Inez, as a reminder of the strongest, most inspiring woman I have ever known.

Finish this sentence: I believe…

…in always doing the right thing, especially when no one is looking. Because your value does not come from what others think or say about you, but from doing and saying what is right even if you are in the minority.

What is the most exciting thing you and your organization accomplished this year?

I have the most amazing and hard-working team and I am so proud of the work they do every day. In the last year, we have taken on several new projects, including services we had never performed before, and the team did not disappoint. For the first time in our organization’s history, we provided housing support to qualified persons living with HIV/AIDS to stabilize their housing and keep them in care. We also provided outreach, education, and access to COVID-19 vaccinations in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. This helped ensure our residents were informed and protected against the disease, ultimately leading to better health outcomes throughout our community.

Describe your perfect day.

Being able to meet all deadlines by 5 pm, pick up my daughter, go to the gym, and prepare a meal for my family. However, that is not my reality because I’m always juggling deadlines. In truth, I don’t cook much. Some days I skip the gym. And sometimes my daughter is the last to be picked up from aftercare—which she hates! Yet I get to do a job I enjoy, indulge in activities that make me happy, and see people I care about each day. In other words, I do already live the perfect day every day!

Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you.

I practice Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that uses acrobatics, dance, and music. It was originally developed by slaves so that no one would recognize they were practicing fight moves. My friend owns Wetafit Studio in Davie, where we can practice six days a week. It’s a tough but rewarding skill set to develop, but it’s also shown me I am much stronger than I imagined.

What inspired you to work in community health/healthcare?

I love people!

Tell us about your very first job.

My first job was as a cashier at Winn-Dixie Store 251. I was the first black cashier.

What do you find the most rewarding about your work now?

My work gives me the opportunity to help a lot of people get busy living instead of being busy dying.

Tell us about your proudest day or moment on or off the job?

In the 21 years I’ve been in this job, I have had a lot of proud moments. I think my proudest moment was the first time one of our clients moved from homelessness to home ownership. She started not only living with HIV but thriving with HIV.

What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid and why?

I dreamed of being the genie from I Dream of Jeannie. She had the power to turn mean people into frogs. While in elementary school, I was bullied a lot and had a few mean teachers. If I was Jeannie, I could have made them frogs. They would not have been able to say mean things to me. But I turned to wrestling moves instead.

What woman inspires you and why.

My grandmother was my greatest inspiration. She was a strict but loving person. She worked hard. She cared about everyone from the mayor to the homeless person on the corner. Today, my greatest inspiration is my daughter, Shennette, who was diagnosed with lupus years ago. She is an amazing wife, homeschool mom, author, and community servant. She continues to show me how to overcome obstacles.

Finish this sentence: I believe…

I believe that God created me to help the world become a better place to work, live and play through preaching, policy making, and caring for those in need.

What is the most exciting thing you and your organization accomplished this year?

We have saved thousands of lives by continuing to host COVID pop up vaccination sites at the New Mount Olive Baptist Church.

Describe your perfect day.

Starting the day with my own personal 6:30 am prayer call. Having a cup of Starbucks Sumatra coffee as I wait for my morning facetime with my two grandchildren, Kyla and Little Gabe. Eating an oven baked pancake at the OB house. Taking a nap and then going under the 17th Causeway Bridge to watch the boats go down the intercoastal. Returning home to watch the Young and the Restless and the Bold and the Beautiful. Going to Bible study at my church and eating a nice Crafty Crabs lemon pepper boil or a Jamaican fried chicken dinner from The Dutch Pot. Reading a book. And saying my prayers before going to bed.

Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you.

I am a major introvert on any personality test.

What inspired you to work in community health/healthcare?

Helping children, youth, adults, and their families experiencing behavioral health disorders find their recovery path to wellness.

Tell us about your very first job.

My first job in behavioral health was to set up a day care program for children whose parents were addicted to opioids. I provided the children and the parents therapy and a path to recovery.

What do you find the most rewarding about your work now?

Working with an excellent team of staff and a provider network who believe in recovery, and finding solutions to improve health outcomes for those we serve.

Tell us about your proudest day or moment on or off the job?

Hearing the stories of the people and families we serve and listening to their successes in their recovery gives me a sense of accomplishment. In my personal life, I enjoy listening to the success stories of my children and grandchildren.

What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid and why?

I always wanted to work with adolescents to assist them in finding their path in life. When I was growing up, I found my friends and schoolmates had no focus on goals. Since then, I’ve been helping others identify their purpose in life.

What woman inspires you and why.

My mother was one of the people who most inspired me. She was a professional who was able to balance family and professional life, always able and willing to listen and support her children.

Finish this sentence: I believe…

… that we all have a responsibility to contribute to the wellness of the community we serve.

What is the most exciting thing you and your organization accomplished this year?

We were able to enrich Broward’s array of behavioral health services by bringing new programs and services to Broward County for children, youths, adults, and their families.

Describe your perfect day.

A day where all the goals and objectives are met and access to services is easy to navigate for all community members.

Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you.

I love to dance!

What inspired you to work in community health/healthcare?

When I was in my late teens, I was dating someone who was sent to prison. Through word-of-mouth, I connected with Rose Martin, an advocate who helped people returning home from prison find jobs and places to live. She ended up changing the course of my life. I spent dozens of hours with her every week answering requests from community members who needed a hot meal, were about to be evicted, or just needed a cigarette to help calm their nerves and prevent relapse. She was the first person I met who dedicated her entire life to service, after her own exit from the system and recovery from substance use. While it took years for me to find stable footing, she inspired me to follow her lead with my own life, using my personal experiences with the system in service of others.

What was your very first job?

My first job was as a hostess at a bar in my hometown. I worked there from the time I was fifteen and met all kinds of characters over my five years working there.

What do you find the most rewarding about your work now?

I spend a significant chunk of my week developing programs that nurture the leadership capacity of others, typically people who have never seen themselves as leaders in their community. I love seeing people’s confidence in themselves grow as they recognize and develop their own skills and potential. My proudest moments on the job are typically small things that occur throughout the course of a month — seeing staff and members taking ownership and direction of things that I used to do on my own, like facilitating meetings, leading policy work, or developing outreach programs in the community.

What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid and why?

I wanted to work at a zoo because I loved animals!

Finish this sentence: I believe…

…that what civil rights activist Ella Baker said is true: “oppressed people, no matter their formal education, have the ability to understand and interpret the world around them, to see the world for what it is, and move to transform it.”

What is the most exciting thing you and your organization accomplished this year?

Besides exciting policy wins, such as the elimination of predatory costs assessed by the local jail system, including more than $50 million worth of jail debt, I have been most excited by the implementation of our fellowship program, through which members with criminal records undergo intensive training on community organizing, policy advocacy, and leadership development. After more than a year of planning, we secured the resources and capacity to launch the program. It has been extremely successful with our members and will serve as a template for many more fellowship classes to come.

Tell us one thing people don’t know about you.

I have perfect pitch and can play anything I hear on the violin.

What inspired you to work in community health/healthcare?

I have benefited from access to quality health care my whole life. My dad was a union electrician and we always had great health insurance. I worked for a Fortune 500 company out of college and had a wonderful health insurance policy. My first husband had an excellent health insurance plan, which proved invaluable when he was diagnosed with ALS. After his death, and as a newly single mom, I felt the vulnerability of not having access to health insurance for the first time in my life. When I took a position with Womankind in 2007, I hoped to help other women gain access to quality care, regardless of their insurance status; to empower them to make healthcare decisions without the fear of cost weighing on them; and to give them and their families the peace of mind that quality health care provides.

Tell us about your very first job.

Magic Fountain Ice Cream Parlor, Colonia, New Jersey, 1981. The husband-and-wife owners were the perfect role-models and mentors for a first-time employee. They taught me important skills required to be a quality employee, many that I still use today. I learned how to welcome customers, deal with difficult ones, count change (so no one was left with a drippy cone in one hand and a wad of bills and coins in the other), and that it is never okay to be standing still. Because there is always something to clean.

What do you find the most rewarding about your work now?

The easy answer is helping our patients, giving them a positive health care experience, and having them leave Womankind feeling cared for and heard. But my other reward comes from fostering a work environment where our staff of 13 women and one man feel empowered, appreciated, motivated, and like an important member of the team.

Tell us about your proudest day or moment on or off the job?

Being honored by the Health Foundation of South Florida is a proud moment. To be recognized by such a formidable organization, one which has more than its own share of inspiring women, is something to cherish.

What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid and why?

At first, after watching the TV show, Emergency, I wanted to be a paramedic. Then I started watching Quincy and decided a medical examiner might be more interesting. The lead was so smart and clever. In college, I studied Marketing and Advertising, which were all the rage in the late 1980s. I don’t remember watching any TV shows starring a stressed-out non-profit executive, so this all happened by chance.

What woman inspires you and why?

The women that inspire me are the women with whom I work. Since our nonprofit is a fully functioning women’s health center, there is a soft line between employees who come to us for the mission side and those who come solely for a clinic job. But invariably, our employees blossom to be empathetic, caring providers, who appreciate their important role in our community. They are daily heroes, truly serving our locals.

Finish this sentence: I believe…

…that everyone deserves dignity, and that kindness can have a deep impact.

What is the most exciting thing you and your organization accomplished this year?

In 2022, Womankind provided over 6,200 visits, a sizable amount for a town of just 25,000 full-time residents. For the first time ever, the number of insured patients surpassed the number of patients on our sliding scale. That means that women who have a choice to go to any practice in town are choosing Womankind, not only for the great care they receive, but also because they know they are helping uninsured women get the treatment they need, too.

Describe your perfect day.

A perfect workday is one where patients and staff are satisfied, happy, empowered from the moment the doors open until we go home at night. A perfect personal day is one I get to spend with my husband. He is a full-time musician in Key West and our schedules are often opposite. When we get a whole day together, either for fun or just spent on household chores, the day ends with my heart full. (But if my kids ask, please tell them I said it’s getting to spend times with my two daughters.)

Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you.

I’ve only been on a horse once. When I was living in Los Angeles, my sister came to visit, and we went on a tour above the Hollywood Hills on horseback. The horse I was riding, and my sister’s horse got into a fight on a tiny trail overlooking a very steep incline. Her horse—intending to kick my horse—accidentally kicked me in the shin instead. I still have a scar where I was hit 30 years ago. I’ve stayed off horses and just admired them from afar ever since.

What inspired you to work in community health/healthcare?

I first caught the healthcare bug when I was in high school and part of Health Occupation Students of America. However, I was pretty much set on a career in law. It wasn’t until I decided to get a master’s degree in public health as an intermediary to law school that my plans changed. I fell in love with public health, which led me here.

Tell us about your very first job.

When I was 14, I worked as a bag girl at Winn Dixie.

What do you find the most rewarding about your work now?

The most rewarding aspect of my work is knowing our hospital is unapologetic about improving the lives of our staff and the patients we serve. I am also passionate about mentorship.

Tell us about your proudest day or moment on or off the job?

Early in my tenure at Jackson, there was a day when our system CEO and COO rounded the facility. I was an administrator. I introduced them to a staff member who I felt had great energy and was a consummate professional. I remember some shock registering on her face, but I didn’t think much of it in the moment. The next day, that staffer approached me with tears in her eyes. She thanked me for making her feel seen. She said she went home that day to tell her daughter how shocked she was and that she would never forget it. You can’t pay for moments like those, in which a small gesture that seems so normal to you can have such a big effect on someone else.

What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid and why?

A teacher, even before the lawyer thing. Once I grasped reading, I became fascinated with education and learning. I watched how some of my teachers maneuvered the classroom and the love they poured into us. I wanted to do the same for others.

What woman inspires you and why.

My mommy. She is funny, hardworking, giving, and one of the most caring individuals you will ever meet. She leads with her heart, a way of being she inherited from her mom. I strive to do the same every day.

Finish this sentence: I believe…

… we can improve communication (and maybe even begin the journey to world peace) if we deliver and receive words with intention rather than ego.

What is the most exciting thing you and your organization accomplished this year?

We significantly improved the patient experience and really revived our staff and community engagement this year. It has been incredibly gratifying to see and do!

Describe your perfect day.

Scary movies, snacks, and sleeping in.

Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you.

I love cartoons!

What inspired you to work in community health/healthcare?

Being raised in small towns, where health care providers cared for their own friends and neighbors, I assumed that was the way healthcare worked everywhere. I wasn’t familiar with, and therefore not yet a believer in, the community college nursing education system and how it impacts community health. Then, I started working at Broward College. Now, I’m a true believer. What inspires me is that we are educating people from our own community to care for people in our own community.

Tell us about your very first job.

My very first job was delivering newspapers on my bicycle in a small town in Nebraska. My first job in healthcare—working at a small-town pharmacy/drug store—led to my next role as a nursing assistant in a small community hospital, where the nurses inspired me to attend nursing school.

What do you find the most rewarding about your work now?

When I hear a nursing student talk about their experience in clinical rotations and how they put that knowledge to use in caring for patients. I love it when I run into a nursing student on campus and ask about their current clinical experience and see their eyes light up, even if it was a challenging or sad situation. The reward comes from them knowing that they were able to provide care to the patient because of what they are learning in our program.

Tell us about your proudest day or moment on or off the job?

I’m proud of my ability to contribute to charitable organizations, whether through my time or money, even if in small amounts. This is also important to my husband.

What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid and why?

I dreamed of being able to save all the pets who need to be saved. I still dream of that.

What woman inspires you and why.

My mother, though gone, continues to inspire me. She was a strong and resilient woman and always kind to everyone. She was very civic-minded and though she didn’t really talk about it, she modeled the behavior of giving and of caring for others. She wasn’t perfect and loved to laugh, even at herself. She was pragmatic and unapologetic about that.

Finish this sentence: I believe…

…what we do might not matter to all, but if it matters to even one person, then it’s worth doing.

What is the most exciting thing you and your organization accomplished this year?

Securing a grant from the Health Foundation of South Florida and using the College’s State PIPELINE grant allocation. Both help us prepare more graduates from health sciences programs to care for people in our community.

Describe your perfect day.

A perfect day for me would be a day when I get to do a little shopping in the morning and finding a few great deals. Then I’d go out to lunch with a friend, spend a few hours volunteering for an animal rescue organization, and finish the evening on the sofa with my pets and my husband.

Tell us one thing most people don’t know about you.

I love to read but I’m addicted to TV and can waste hours of time watching it!