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.

The Team

Katie Roders Turner, MPH

Executive Director

Katie Roders Turner is the Executive Director of the Family Healthcare Foundation. She is honored to lead the Family Healthcare Foundation, an organization that is devoted to connecting Tampa Bay residents to programs to improve healthcare outcomes, 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 Roders Turner has expertise on policy, programmatic, and fiscal trends in health and human services at the federal, state, and local levels after serving in the public sector for almost 20 years. In every new role or experience, Katie maintains a passion for ensuring equitable access to high quality and affordable healthcare for individuals and families. They have been featured nationally on National Public Radio, CNN, and locally on ABC Action News and WMNF on behalf of the Family Healthcare Foundation.

Katie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Women/Gender Studies, a Master’s in Public Health, and has a demonstrated commitment to community service. They are a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, an alumna of the Global Health Fellows Program with USAID, and served in AmeriCorps. Katie currently serves on multiple public health tasks forces and committees in Tampa Bay.

Michelle Ray, MPA, MSM

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.

Amar Vora, MPH

Quality Assurance Specialist & Healthcare Navigator

Amar Vora serves as the Quality Assurance Specialist/Healthcare Navigator for The Family Healthcare Foundation. With more than 5 years of nonprofit work experience in the Tampa Bay area, he is passionate about providing resources to those in need.

Brenda Luna

Program Coordinator – Polk County
Focus: Safety Net Services

Brenda Luna, with over a decade of experience in the medical field, excels in facilitating connections between individuals and vital resources. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Brenda’s bilingual proficiency allows her to effectively assist a diverse range of individuals. Her unwavering passion for helping others is evident in her dedication to making a positive impact. In her leisure time, Brenda finds joy in reading, cooking, and indulging in her love for dancing.

Claudette Jones

Healthcare Navigator

Claudette Jones joined the Family Healthcare Foundation as a Healthcare Navigator in Hillsborough County in 2023. She is a lifelong resident of Tampa, and excited about helping individuals in her home city obtain health insurance and the healthcare coverage that they need. Claudette enjoys outreach and educating people about services that are available in the community. Prior to working as a Healthcare Navigator, she worked in the non-profit sector for agencies providing services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Derek Anderson

Outreach Specialist & Healthcare Navigator

A lifelong Tampa resident, Derek has worked for the Family Healthcare Foundation since 2015, shortly after graduating from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations. He works primarily in Pinellas and southern Hillsborough Counties, and on the weekends, he can usually be found kayaking in Tampa Bay or walking along the St. Pete Pier.

Elsa Rodriguez

Connecting Kids to Care Navigator

Elsa Rodriguez began working as a Healthcare Navigator back in 2013 at the inauguration of the Health Insurance Marketplace. Prior to working as a Healthcare Navigator, her vast experience as a nurse opened doors to various management roles within the health insurance industry. She was blessed to develop and manage several teams working with disability claims, provider disputes, and even advocating as a trusted health insurance partner which offered Medicaid and Medicare coverage to underserved, underinsured communities, all within the non-profit and profit sectors.

Elsa is not only passionate about helping people live high-quality lives by meeting their overall healthcare needs, but also believes that sharing and teaching individuals how to be self-sufficient is the key to a purposeful life.

Eva Villas-Boas

Program Coordinator – Polk County
Focus: Federal & State Programs

Eva began her career in Healthcare Navigation working as a Certified Application Counselor in the state of New Hampshire at the advent of the Health Insurance Marketplace in 2013. In the state of Florida, she developed strategic community partnerships in Polk County, Florida, in her role as a Healthcare Navigator at BayCare Health System’s Winter Haven Hospital from 2014-2019. In her current role of Program Coordinator for Polk County for the Family Healthcare Foundation, she has led an expansion of the Family Healthcare Foundation’s brand awareness in Polk County focused on community engagement and outreach. Her passion projects at work include helping Portuguese-speaking Florida residents understand the United States healthcare system. She is also the “go-to” person at the Family Healthcare Foundation to plan international travel, as her time off of work is well spent traveling the world.

Imph Dorelus, B.S.

Connecting Kids to Care Navigator

Imph is very proud to have graduated from the University of South Florida with a major in Health Science. His commitment to continually helping those within the Tampa Bay community is evidenced by his progressive role progression from clinical to community focused positions. He aspires to continue his endeavor through his work with the Family Healthcare Foundation. The Family Healthcare Foundation is proud to have Imph join them in 2023. Imph has been commended on his exemplary customer service in social service settings.

Jennifer Tayler

Program Coordinator – Pinellas County

Jennifer Tayler champions community engagement, outreach, and high-quality consumer assistance for the Family Healthcare Foundation in Pinellas County, Florida. She is a pioneer Affordable Care Act Navigator, becoming certified as a Navigator at the launch of the Health Insurance Marketplace in 2013. Jenifer joined the Family Healthcare Foundation in 2021, with over 25 years professional experience in financial assistance and Healthcare Navigator subject area expertise in hospital settings and having served as a Program Coordinator for BayCare Health Systems Navigator Project. Jennifer has been an amazing trainer for new Navigators, as well as partner agencies due to her patience, attention to detail, and positive attitude. She is passionate in understanding the complexities of health policies and making them understandable so that people understand how to access healthcare services.

Jorge Masson, MPH

Connecting Kids to Care Navigator

Jorge graduated with a Master Degree in Public Health from the University of Kentucky with a concentration in Health Policy. He loves to use his knowledge of Health Policy to help others navigate the complexities of the healthcare system.

Karla Navas

Connecting Kids to Care Navigator

Karla has worked as a social worker helping children at risk of child abuse and neglect, pregnant mothers in high-risk situations, and people with disabilities. She is aware of the community resources that are provided. Karla has patience and love for the communities she serves.

Laritza Larguardia Lopez

Connecting Kids to Care Navigator
Laritza Laguardia Lopez joins the Family Healthcare Foundation with an enthusiasm for providing social services and community resources to vulnerable populations, and a passion for customer service. Originally from Cuba, Laritza understands the importance of helping families understand complex and challenging systems to better help their children. She earned a Bachelors in Computer Science from the University of Informatic Sciences in Cuba in 2010 and is thrilled to be a part of the Family Healthcare Foundation team.

Loveline Lestage

Program Coordinator – Connecting Kids to Care
Loveline LeStage is proud of her progressive ten years of experience in healthcare navigation and nonprofit social services in the Tampa Bay Area, in addition to her professional experience in education and psychology. Before joining the Family Healthcare Foundation in 2019, she worked as a Healthcare Navigator with Board of County Commissioner in Pinellas County, United Way Suncoast of Tampa Bay, and Manatee County School District. She is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Behavior Science and Elementary Education.

In Loveline’s currently role as the Program Coordinator for the Connecting Kid to Care Program ensures that the Family Healthcare Foundation has Navigators at all seven of the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County Family Resource Center to help families navigate complicated healthcare coverage issues. Loveline also continues to assist many families find services and has used a positive attitude and tireless energy to empower the families that she encounters daily. Helping children and connecting families to healthcare is one the many motivators for Loveline at The Family Healthcare Foundation. She has been married for 18 years and has four wonderful children. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family watching movies or playing “Guess Who” on Friday nights, vacationing, and taking cruises in the Caribbean.

Luis Rodriguez

Program Manager – Health Begins Now
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.

Lynnette Lacy

Program Coordinator – Pasco County
Lynnette Lacy is the Program Coordinator for Pasco County. She began working as a Healthcare Navigator in 2013, with the inception of the Health Insurance Marketplace. Prior to working as a Healthcare Navigator, she worked as a nurse and later worked in the non-profit sector for agencies providing services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Lynnette is passionate about assisting people with obtaining health insurance coverage and the healthcare that they need.

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).

Melissa Escalante

Connecting Kids to Care Navigator
Melissa joined the Family Healthcare Foundation in 2019, bringing important patient navigation resources from the clinical perspective after two years in a hospital setting. Since then, Melissa has helped hundreds of families, been the spokesperson for the Family Healthcare Foundation for Spanish media outlets and been a helpful trainer for incoming staff members. When she is not working, Melissa is doing beach clean ups and exploring Florida’s natural paradise.

Nuria Ramos

Health Begins Now Navigator
Nuria Ramos is dedicated to assisting and helping people in the Tampa Bay area. Her past professional experience includes her position as a Family Support Worker; in this role, she assisted families with children from 0 to 5 years old, which empowered their parents through education and community support. As a Healthcare Navigator she continues to support individuals and families to navigate their Healthcare options and has been instrumental in piloting the Health Begins Now Program, which focuses on Social Determinants of Health. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration, with a concentration in Marketing, from Interamerican University (PR). Nuria has volunteered for many years in Tampa Bay, specifically in Brandon, Seffner, Dover, and Plant City, at food pantries and with helping migrant workers.

Taralynn R. Norman, A.S

Health Begins Now Navigator
Taralynn Norman began her career as a Customer Service Representative, assisting consumers with understanding the complexities of the Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicare. Her professional experiences also include clinical settings as an emergency room registrar. In 2022, she was proud to graduate with her Associates in Science in Healthcare Navigation and an Associates of Arts in Liberal Arts from Hillsborough Community College, where she was recognized for Academic Excellence in Healthcare Navigation/Public Health. Taralynn is now pursuing her Bachelors of Science in Public Health at the University of South Florida. Taralynn joined the Family Healthcare Foundation in 2022, and as a Health Begins Now Navigator, empowers program participants to connect with resources that improve their social determinants of health. In her free time, she enjoys reading, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her family and friends.

Vicky Perez

Healthcare Navigator
Vicky began her career as a registrar in the Emergency Department at Winter Haven Hospital for BayCare Hospital System, and as a Case Manager for the Department for Children and Families. Vicky has enjoyed working in high pressure public service roles and has volunteered for the Winter Haven Fire Department for over 5 years. She is bilingual and has experience working with diverse groups and being a supportive role for the community by volunteering at homeless shelters, animal shelters and providing donations. Vicky is passionate about affordable health care for individuals and families and will continue her goals to provide as much assistance as possible to her community.

Board of Directors

Sandra Murman

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

Mike Aubin, MD

Treasurer
Retired, Former President, Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital

Douglas Holt, MD

Immediate Past Chair
Director Florida Department of Health

Steven Freedman, PhD

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

Debra Prewitt

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

Maria Russ, ARNP, CPNP, Ph.D.

Supervisor of Health Services, Hillsborough County Public Schools

Bob Henriquez

Property Appraiser, Hillsborough County Property Appraiser

Commissioner Gwen Myers

District 3, Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners

Keri Eisenbeis

Vice Chair
Chief of Staff and Chief Communications Officer, BayCare Health System

Jason Wilson, MD

Secretary
Division Chief and an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida

Mary Ellen Gillette

Director Emeritus
Community Advocate

Karen Perez

At-Large Member, Hillsborough County Public Schools

Judi Vitucci

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

Armando Sanchez-Aballi

Market Development Manager, The AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies

Melanie Hall

Owner, MSH Consulting

Kyle Matthews

White Duck Espresso

Scott Darius

Executive Director, Florida Voices for Health

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