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Community Health Center Directors and Staff

 

Jessica Mendez, MSN, APRN -BC, CDE

Director

Jessica Sodek, ARNP, completed her Masters of Science in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University. She is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and is a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE). Her clinical interest includes diabetes care and nutrition with an affinity for health promotion and disease prevention. As the Clinical Director, she is responsible for leading overall clinical strategy as well as manages aspects of clinical operations with director.  Jessica’s experience includes over 12 years in acute care, pediatric oncology and nursing management in an outpatient clinical setting. In addition, she serves as clinical preceptor for health professional students.  Jessica is fluent in English and Spanish. 

 

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Lewis Green, M.D.

Medical Director

Dr. Green has worked with the FAU Community Health Center since 2011 as the Medical Director. He graduated from Boston University School of Medicine in 1975 and worked in Family Practice in the states of Florida and Georgia before retiring from full time private practice in 2001. Dr. Green is passionate about helping the uninsured and underserved receive quality health care.  With that vision, he served on numerous community boards as a Director and Chairman to ensure the voice of patients are heard to understand what matters most to them, and develop solutions to reduce health inequities.  Dr. Green works closely with the Director and Nurse Practitioners as he brings his medical expertise to the Center as a Collaborating Physician and Medical Director.  Dr. Green is also affiliate faculty at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing and the Clinical Biomedical Science, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine both at Florida Atlantic University.  He enjoys spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren while volunteering for the veteran hospital a few times a month. 

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  Julia McCarthy

Office Manager

 Julia Gorman is the Office Manager for the Community Health Care Center at Westgate.  Her past experience includes Assistant to the Activities Director for Independent and Assisted Living Facility as well as owned and operated a successful family business. She started with the clinic after completing a Medical Assistant Certification and was promoted to Office Manager in 2012. Julia is currently enrolled in an Insurance, Billing and Coding Certification Program. She oversees the day to day operations of the clinic, supervises and evaluates staff, coordinates outside referrals, and business operations.  

 

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Helen C. Romanacce, MSW,

Coordinator, Social Services

Helen Romanacce’s education includes a Master’s Degree in Social Work and Aging Certificate from Florida Atlantic University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the Inter-American University in San Juan, PR.  She is a Florida Registered Clinical Social Work Intern and Field Instructor for FAU School of Social Work. In addition, she serves as clinical preceptor for health professional students s, as part of the FAU Community Health Center’s Interprofessional community engagement training experience.   She will begin graduate studies at the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters in the fall with a concentration on Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. Helen has an eight-year track record in the non-profit industry providing services for the underserved population and has been with FAU since 2008. She is bi-lingual in English and Spanish.

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Patricia Dittman, PhD, RN, CDE

Health Care Outcomes Coordinator and

Certified Diabetes Educator

Patricia Dittman holds a PhD and MSN in Nursing from Florida Atlantic University and is also a nationally Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE). Patricia’s research focus is on the Impact of Attitude and Empowerment as Predictors of Diabetes Self-management. She is an adjunct professor with FAU’s Christine E. Lynne College of Nursing and Nova Southeastern Universities’ College of Nursing. Her Nursing Administrative experience includes 17 years in acute care and 10 years in an academic setting. Currently she is a Magnet appraiser for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) evaluating hospital facilities for Magnet status..  Patricia provides coordinated care with a focus on -population health through; monitoring, evaluating and navigating the health care system for ensure quality care that is personalized to each person’s need to improve health outcomes. In addition, she serves as clinical preceptor for health professional students.

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Daryl Hobbs, MS, ARNP-BC, CDE

Family Nurse Practitioner

Daryl Hobbs is a Family Nurse Practitioner who is board certified in family practice. She graduated with a Master of Science degree in nursing from FAU. Daryl is a clinician and a nationally Certified Diabetes Educator currently practicing at the FAU Community Health Center. In addition, she serves as clinical preceptor for health professional students. Her prior experience includes over 19 years in the capacity of supervisor and practitioner at a medical clinic in Haiti. Daryl is fluent in English and Haitian Creole. 

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Andra Opalinski, PhD, ARNP, CPNP-PC, NC-BC

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Assistant Professor

Andra Opalinski is a board certified pediatric nurse practitioner.  She graduated with a Master of Science degree as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner from the University of Florida and her PhD in nursing from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Andra’s research focus is on health promotion for the child and family, health promotion and health outcomes for persons experiencing homelessness, faith community nursing and effectiveness of nurse coaching. Her prior experience includes over 5 years of in-patient pediatric care and over 15 years as a pediatric nurse practitioner. She has experience in school based health working to improve both health outcomes and educational outcomes through supporting health.  

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Michael Dumeng

Medical Assistant

Michael joined the FAU Community Health Center in 2014, initially as a volunteer, and commenced as a Medical Assistant in 2015. He works at the front desk ensuring patient intake, registration, check in/out procedures are all carried out at a first class level. Michael has been training in patient care, and enjoys his interaction with patients as he measures their vitals and records their information in preparation for the Nurse Practitioner’s appointment. Michael carries out many patient responsibilities such as: assisting with examinations, medication preparation, lab work, and nursing as directed by the Health Care Provider on duty.  Michael is fluent in English and Spanish.

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