Tell us about your work as CEO of Volunteers in Medicine.
I began my role as CEO with Volunteers in Medicine on Oct. 1, 2018. Volunteers in Medicine is a free clinic for the working uninsured that provides primary care and 19 specialties with the help of over 300 volunteers.
My role is to oversee fundraising, events, marketing, grants, clinic operations, volunteer engagement, board relations, programming, education, personnel and strategic planning.
I am able to do all of this with the help of 17 passionate employees who don’t see this as work, but more as a mission.
Tell us about your background, especially as it applies to your career.
I am a fifth generation North Floridian who deeply cares about the community and wants to give back to help those people I consider my neighbors. I left Jacksonville for 10 years where I got my undergraduate degree at Mercer University and then received my master’s in public health at Emory University. I earned my Master of Public Health degree from Emory University and then returned to Jacksonville, where I have worked at the Duval County Health Department, Brooks Rehabilitation, Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition and the YMCA before joining Volunteers in Medicine.
The work I do at Volunteers in Medicine is so fulfilling to me. One of the greatest contributors to a healthy community is having access to health care. Our free clinic is increasing access to care in our community.
In addition, my public health background and desire to work in an evidence-based field has helped us develop some innovative programs to prevent opioid addiction, prevent crime and prevent homelessness.
Tell us about your new role as president of the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra.
I have been a member of the Ponte Vedra Beach Rotary Club for 10 years. I never thought I would be president of the club. It is not something I sought out but it was something I could not say no to.
They are some of the kindest, most service-oriented people I have ever met. This club truly wants to give back and help in so many ways. As someone who has dedicated my career to serving others through nonprofit leadership, I am happy being in the presence of others who feel the same way.
This year’s theme is “Create Lasting Impact,” and each week one of our members shares how Rotary has impacted their lives. When we think of impact, we think of the impact our grants have on the organizations we support, we think about the lives of those who get vaccinated and never get diagnosed with polio but we really need to think about how our weekly meetings and the connections we make impact our lives.
What are your goals for the Rotary Club in the coming year?
My goals for the year: 1) continue to provide engaging and fun weekly meetings to get members (and guests) to continue to attend our Thursday Morning meetings at 7:30 a.m. at Marsh Landing. 2) add new members who contribute to our high energy and service-oriented membership 3) have at least one service project each month — we love serving food for Gabriel House, providing snacks for Beam Back to School, ringing the bell for Salvation Army and so much more 4) hear from members on the impact Rotary has had on their lives!
What do you like best about what you do?
I feel fulfilled in my career every day; I am thankful I have a career where I am helping others, staying connected to my community and doing work that I am passionate about. I am energized by building relationships and am thankful that both my Rotary role and my career allow me to do that every day.
What is a typical day like for you?
I love to start each morning with some type of quiet reflection; it could be a workout, yoga, reading or just sitting on the back porch with my cat Simon with a cup of coffee. My work day could consist of a lunch meeting with either a nonprofit partner or donor.
I love to give tours; I try to schedule a tour of our clinic to a new donor, volunteer or community leader at least once a week. People are always amazed to see our volunteers in action and to discover that our clinic looks just like any health care facility serving insured patients.
Volunteers in Medicine’s board has four different committees so my day may include meeting with the board to go over finances, board development, budgets, grants or to talk about our upcoming Women with Heart Luncheon.
In the evening I like to do some form of exercise either weight lifting, a walk or yoga and then enjoy a home cooked meal with my husband Jason.
What do you like best about living here?
I love Jacksonville. You won’t find a bigger advocate for this region than me. I love the beach, the charming neighborhoods of Atlantic Beach, San Marco, Avondale, Fernandina Beach and St. Augustine, and the natural beauty of our waterways and parks.
I live a gluten-free, dairy-free lifestyle and am loving all of the new restaurants focused on healthy foods that are accessible to those with dietary restrictions. I like that my bicycle is my primary form of transportation on the weekends; Jacksonville Beach is so accessible.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I love to ride my bike, play beach volleyball, read, travel and learn about different wine regions. My entire immediate family lives in Jacksonville and my husband’s family has started moving here from Chicago.
I have four nephews and one niece here, and I love watching them play sports and spending time with them. My nephew Ryan plays basketball at Providence High School and will be a senior this year. My goal is to attend every one of his games this season.
