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About Us

Vision

Our vision is that every person in Tampa Bay has equitable access to affordable, quality healthcare to ensure a healthy, vibrant community.

Mission

Our mission is to be the trusted leader in our community, ensuring access to high-quality healthcare for all in the Tampa Bay Area.

Our Healthcare Navigators are committed to enrolling Tampa Bay residents into healthcare coverage programs, improving healthcare literacy, and mobilizing community partners to support collective knowledge. These services are provided to increase equitable access to high-quality healthcare and reduce health disparities in Tampa Bay.

History

The Family Healthcare Foundation, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) designated organization, was established in 1998 to convene local efforts to respond to a match requirement that supported the enrollment of children into the State of Florida’s Children’s Health Insurance Program, Florida KidCare. We have a long history of addressing process improvements, leading a diverse coalition of volunteers, and providing outreach and application assistance in publicly funded health care programs such as Florida KidCare, the Health Insurance Marketplace, and local county healthcare programs.

Leadership Team

Katie Roders Turner

Executive Director

Katie Roders Turner is the Executive Director of the Family Healthcare Foundation. They are honored to lead a skilled and experienced team of Healthcare Navigators committed to enrolling Tampa Bay residents into healthcare coverage programs, improving healthcare literacy, and mobilizing community partners to support collective knowledge. These services are provided to increase equitable access to high-quality healthcare and reduce health disparities in Tampa Bay.

Katie has deep-end knowledge on policy, programmatic, and fiscal trends in health and human services at the federal, state, and local levels after serving in the public and non-profit sectors for over 15 years. In every new role or experience, Katie maintains a passion for ensuring equitable access to high-quality and affordable health care for individuals and families. They hold a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Master’s in Public Health, and has a demonstrated commitment to community service. They are a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Kazakhstan, 2007-2009), an alumna of the Global Health Fellows Program with USAID (2011), and Americorps (2005).

Katie has been featured on National Public Radio, CNN, and ABC Action News in Tampa Bay on behalf of The Family Healthcare Foundation. They reside with their partner, two little soccer players, a beagle named Pickles, and a cat named Parker in Hillsborough County, Florida.

Michelle Ray

Director of Operations

Michelle Ray brings 20 years of expertise in Program and Project Management to her role as the Director of Operations of The Family Healthcare Foundation. She has curated a portfolio of expertly executed projects at federal, state, and private sector agencies. Her professional experience is complemented by a Master’s Degree in Project Management from the University of South Florida, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from George Mason University, and Bachelors of Science degrees in Political and Social Science from Florida State University.

Most recently, Michelle led the administration of federal and state contracts focused on statewide enrollment efforts for the State of Florida’s Children’s Health Insurance Program and the Health Insurance Marketplace in her role as the Program Manager at the University of South Florida’s Florida Covering Kids and Families within the College of Public Health. Michelle’s belief in equitable access to quality healthcare for all individuals and passion for community service, are the catalyst for her continued work to reduce health disparities with a strategic focus on the Tampa Bay region.

Maria Jimenez

Senior Program Coordinator

Maria Jimenez is an Affordable Care Act (ACA) pioneer. She began her career as a Health Insurance Marketplace Navigator at the beginning of the implementation of the groundbreaking federal law, with the opening of the Health Insurance Marketplace. She has years of experience helping individuals, families and small business owners navigate publicly funded healthcare options, including local safety-net programs. As a native Spanish speaker living in Tampa for over 15 years, Maria has built strong community relationships and a broad network of partners who amplify the work of Healthcare Navigators at the Family Healthcare Foundation. Maria is a Certified Health Insurance Marketplace Navigator in the state of Florida, and is a 2017 American Dream Award Recipient, bestowed by the Office of U.S. Representative Kathy Castor. Maria has volunteered countless hours with programs that enrich the community including community board membership at the Family Support and Resource Centers, volunteering with Head Start, elementary schools and Tampa’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

Luis Rodriguez

Program Manager

Luis Rodriguez serves as Program Manager for the Health Begins Now Program. Luis began his career in social work as a case manager. Now with over twenty years in human services and nonprofit program management, Luis brings the highest level of community service and passion for empowering individuals and families to his new role. Luis has a demonstrated history of launching and expanding successful community programs. He is an effective bilingual communicator and experienced public speaker. Since moving to the Tampa Bay area in 2010, Luis has cultivated a strong network of community collaborators and resources. Luis enjoys working with diverse populations including persons with disabilities, seniors and minority groups and youth. He is motivated by doing meaningful work that ensures equitable access to resources for all.

Board of Directors

Douglas Holt, MD

Board Chair
Director, Florida Department of Health

Sandra Murman

Board Vice Chair
Principal, Shumaker Advisors Florida
Former State Representative, Speaker Pro Tempore, Former Hillsborough County Commissioner

Steven Freedman, PhD

Board Treasurer
Professor of Health Policy & Pediatrics, USF College of Public Health

Karen Perez

Board Member, Hillsborough County Public Schools

Debra Prewitt

Former Director of Public Policy, JWB Children’s Services Council of Pinellas County

Keri Eisenbeis

Vice President of Government and Community Relations, BayCare Health System

Jason Wilson, MD

Director, ED Clinical Decision Unit, Tampa General Hospital at TeamHealth

Judi Vitucci

Former Executive Director, Healthy Start Coalition of Pinellas, Inc., Community Advocate

Robert H. Buesing, JD

Attorney, Trenam Kemker

Maria Russ, ARNP, CPNP, Ph.D.

Supervisor of Health Services, Hillsborough County Public Schools

Armando Sanchez-Aballi

Market Development Manager, The AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies

Bob Henriquez

Property Appraiser, Hillsborough County Property Appraiser

Melanie Hall

Owner, MSH Consulting

Commissioner Gwen Myers

District 3, Hillsborough County BOCC

Mary Ellen Gillette

Director Emeritus
Community Advocate

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