#United States #Miami #Health Equity #Health Foundation #Barbara Fonte

New Leadership at the Health Foundation of South Florida

The Health Foundation of South Florida, the foremost philanthropic organization dedicated to enhancing health and wellness within underserved communities, has recently made significant changes in its leadership. On January 28, 2025, the Foundation announced the appointment of Barbara Fonte, MHSA, MBA, as its new Board Chair. This move is essential for advancing their mission to achieve health equity by 2025.

Who is Barbara Fonte?

Barbara Fonte is a distinguished healthcare executive boasting over 25 years of experience. She currently serves as the Vice President of Managed Care and Population Health at the Jackson Health System, where she implements value-based strategies aimed at improving patient outcomes. Ms. Fonte is not only a leader in healthcare but also a staunch advocate for women's empowerment in the industry. Her significant involvement in various boards and committees, including her role at the Health Foundation, has been instrumental in developing impactful grant initiatives.

Loreen Chant, the President and CEO of the Health Foundation of South Florida, praised Ms. Fonte, stating, "Barbara's visionary leadership and deep understanding of how community intersects with healthcare will aid the Foundation in addressing the fundamental causes of poor health in our communities."

The New Executive Committee

Alongside Ms. Fonte, the Foundation announces its new Executive Committee, which includes:

• - Dionne Wong - Vice Chair, Assistant Vice President of Total Rewards-Human Resources at Baptist Health South Florida.
• - Jose Linares - Secretary, Vice President at Leon Medical Centers, At Home Division.
• - Alex Fernandez - Treasurer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at VITAS Healthcare.

The Foundation also welcomes Dr. Jennifer Goldman, Chief Medical Information Officer and Chief of Primary Care at Memorial Healthcare System, as the latest member of the Board of Directors. Dr. Goldman brings nearly two decades of experience fighting the social determinants of health and advancing patient-centered care. Her work has already earned accolades, including the 2024 American Medical Association's Joy in Medicine Award.

Continuing the Legacy

The Foundation expresses deep gratitude to outgoing Board Chair Mike DeLucca for his tremendous service. Under his leadership, the Foundation made significant multi-year investments aimed at supporting leaders, programs, and organizational initiatives critical for improving health outcomes in South Florida. His contributions have facilitated investments in several Health Equity Collaboratives across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties, directly addressing the needs of communities and vulnerable populations.

Commitment to Community Health

The Health Foundation of South Florida is devoted to improving healthcare access and enhancing social and economic conditions that facilitate overall well-being. Their focus is on fostering collaborations with health systems and community-based entities to better tackle social factors impacting health outcomes. With the new leadership in place, the Foundation is poised to expand its influence and drive meaningful change.

For over 30 years, the Health Foundation of South Florida has invested more than $148 million in nonprofits serving Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe Counties, making a significant impact in these communities. The Foundation's mission revolves around fostering collaborations, advocating for policy changes, and promoting necessary systems shifts to uplift the health of South Florida's population, especially those from low-to-moderate income backgrounds.

For more information about the Health Foundation's initiatives and to keep up with the latest updates, visit www.hfsf.org and follow them on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

The announcement of the new leadership marks a crucial step towards realizing the ambitious goal of health equity by 2025, ensuring that all communities get the care and resources they deserve.