Interviewed by Melissa Diaz
Tell us a bit about yourself! Let our readers get to know you on a personal level.
Although I was born in Brooklyn, NY, I moved to South Florida when I was 11 years old. I'm the proud mother of 2 grown (married) boys...no grandchildren but I keep hoping, lol! Consider myself a Florida girl with Brooklyn roots!
Can you tell us about your early career and your journey to get where you are?
I began my career working in the aircraft manufacturing field as a Customer Service Rep. In South Florida, the industry was shaky. A friend of mine said, "go into healthcare..it's recession-proof". I immediately took some healthcare courses and was lucky enough to land a Secretarial Job with a large healthcare company. Over the next 6 years, I was eventually promoted to Asst. VP for the Southeast (Georgia to South Florida). After some internal troubles, I branched out and finally found my home at the Orthopaedic Center of South Florida. I've been here for 22 years and am very thankful!
What do you like to do with your free time? Any hobbies or passions?
Of course, I had to adjust during these times, but I'm an avid live music lover! Love music cruises and live shows! Love the ocean. Everything about it!; beach boating/deep sea fishing, snorkeling! My passion is to give back. I spent most of my nights as a Zone leader for Sea turtle Oversight Protection for the past 7 years during the summer. I protect nesting moms and make sure the babies make it to the ocean. I'm also very involved with Give Kids the World. This village provides a cost-free carefree week for children with life-threatening illnesses.
Do you have a mentor? Can you share the impact that person or people have had in your life?
My mentor was my grandmother. She was everything I wanted to be. Although she was a homemaker, she taught me not by saying what was right or wrong but by example. She always told me, it's not what you say, "it's what you do."
What do you believe has the most significant impact on your current role?
I wear many hats, CEO, COO, and CFO. Because of that, there are so many moving pieces to succeed. However, there's no chance of success without quality and dedicated staff!
How would others define your communication style? Do you prefer to be close to your employees or maintain a healthy distance, and why?
My style, I'd say, is open and available. If you care about your staff and listen to their ideas and concerns, they will realize their critical value and want to succeed for themselves, their families, and the company.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career? How did you overcome it, and what did you learn from it?
There have been so many challenges that I have faced. However, I cannot look away from what we are dealing with now. This pandemic has been challenging professionally and personally. To continue to try to run a business, care for patients, and keep our employees as safe as we can as the rules keep changing...well, we're all in it together, aren't we?
What’s the most enjoyable or fulfilling part of what you do?
Watching the practice and staff grow personally and professionally.
What makes your practice stand out from the rest?
Our quality care and customer service continue to evolve through innovation.
