Celebrating Five Years of Women Empowerment in Health
In an inspiring tribute during Women's History Month, the Health Foundation of South Florida recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of its prestigious
Inspiring Women of Health awards. This event recognized the invaluable contributions made by ten outstanding women, who are making significant strides toward enhancing community health across the three counties of Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe.
The 2025 honorees, who were selected for their exemplary leadership and commitment to improving health outcomes, include:
- - Amy L. Halstead, MBA, CEO of the Rural Health Network of Monroe County, Florida Inc.
- - Caitlin Stella, MPH, CEO of Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital.
- - Dr. Yvonne Johnson, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Baptist Health South Miami Hospital.
- - Felicia Hart, Chief Operating Officer at Broward Community and Family Health Centers.
- - Josefina Carbonell, Chief Advocacy Officer at Independent Living Systems.
- - Maria Hernandez, LCSW, Chief Program Officer at United Way of Broward County.
- - Pamela Africk, CEO at BestPractices USA, Inc.
- - Shameka Pierce, Peacemaker and Coordinator at Circle of Brotherhood.
- - Stephanie Berman-Eisenberg, President at Carrfour Supportive Housing.
- - Vicky Sabharwal, MBA, VP and CEO at the Behavioral Health Hospital Jackson Health System and Community Mental Health Center at Jackson.
Loreen Chant, the President and CEO of the Health Foundation, emphasized the significance of this celebration, stating, "These honorees exemplify the leadership, resilience, and passion required to create real, lasting impact in our communities. As we celebrate five years of this initiative, we honor not only their incredible achievements but also the collective progress they represent in advancing health equity."
On March 20, 2025, a special luncheon was held to honor these remarkable women. Notable speakers included Loreen Chant and NBC6 news anchor
Constance Jones, who highlighted the honorees' vital work in promoting health equity and improving lives in their communities. The contributions of these women spotlight their unwavering commitment to fostering a future where everyone has the chance to thrive.
Since the inception of the Inspiring Women of Health awards in 2021, seventy trailblazing women have been acknowledged, including leaders from various sectors—CEOs, public officials, nonprofit advocates, and healthcare professionals. These women have been consistently recognized for their profound dedication and efforts aimed at shaping a healthier and more equitable world.
The Health Foundation of South Florida, a prominent organization dedicated to enhancing community health for over three decades, has invested more than
$151 million in local nonprofits. Its mission encompasses fostering collaborations and effecting policy changes focused on improving the health of the South Florida communities, particularly among vulnerable and low to moderate-income populations.
For further information on the 2025 honorees and the Health Foundation’s ongoing endeavors, interested readers can visit their official website at
hfsf.org. Be sure to follow their journey on
Facebook, Instagram, and
LinkedIn to stay updated on their impactful work in community health and beyond.