Community Health Center Directors and Staff

Dr. Karethy Edwards, DrPH, FNP-BC, FAAN

CEO/Executive Director

Dr. Karethy Edwards has over 40 years of practice and teaching experience. She has received over $6 million in external funding for research and educational practice    training grants from the Health Resources Service Administration. She is the project director of the Florida Atlantic University Northwest Community Health Alliance    (FAU/NCHA) Community Health Center’s designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike. Dr. Edwards has extensive experience and knowledge of  primary and mental health care services and providing healthcare services to diverse populations as a provider of primary care, consultant, board member of a  community health center, and Director Clinical Operations of Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Women’s Health Services at the University of Oklahoma  College of Nursing. In her role as CEO/ Executive Director of the FAU/NCHA Community Health Center, Dr. Edwards seeks to decrease health disparities, improve  health outcomes and provide high-quality compassionate care to all persons who seek care.

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Desiree' T. Weems, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Director

Desiree' T. Weems graduated with her Masters of Science in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Ohio University. She is a Certified Nurse Practitioner. She has served as a chief operating officer managing the day-to-day operations of a test and treat STI facility and as a clinical preceptor for FNP and RN students. As a nurse practitioner, she has practiced primarily in women's health, student college medicine, and has treated the primary care needs, acute and chronic illnesses of patients. With her nursing career beginning over 12 years ago, her past experience as an RN includes medical-surgical and neonatal nursing. Her areas of interest include preventative medicine, sexual and community health, and meeting the needs of vulnerable populations with limited access to health care.

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Dr. Karen Wisdom-Chambers, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC

Assistant Director

Dr. Kareen Wisdom-Chambers is an alumna of Florida Atlantic University, Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing (BSN 2007), (MSN 2009) and (DNP 2013). She is an Assistant Professor on the practice teaching track. Dr. Chambers has been a registered nurse since 2002 and a board-certified family nurse practitioner since 2009. Dr. Chambers has worked in several areas of nursing including community health, cardiac, medical-surgical, medical psychiatry, and neuro/telemetry.  Her areas of interest are integrated primary and mental health care and community health: Improving access to care in underserved communities. Her nursing experience includes homecare, medical-surgical, cardiac, orthopedic, neurosurgery, medical-psychiatric, and primary care. Karen is a member of the Golden Key Honor Society, Association of Black Nursing Faculty, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and the Black Nurse Practitioners of Palm Beach County.

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Jessica Mendez, MSN, APRN FNP-BC, CDE  

Family Nurse Practitioner and Certified Diabetes Educator  

Jessica Mendez, APRN, 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 the overall clinical strategy as well as managing aspects of clinical operations with the 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 the clinical preceptor for health professional students.  Jessica is fluent in English and Spanish.   

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Dr. Patricia Dittman, PhD, RN, CDE

RN Healthcare Outcomes Coordinator & Certified Diabetes Educator

Patricia Dittman received her PhD and MSN from Florida Atlantic University. She also has a Bachelor's degree from Salve Regina University in Newport, R.I. She has been a nursing leader for many years in the acute care and academic settings, both undergraduate and graduate programs. She is currently a contributing faculty member at Walden University. Dr. Dittman is also a Magnet Appraiser for the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She is a nationally certified                                                                                   diabetes educator.

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Dr. Vincent Abad, MD

Psychiatrist

Dr. Vincent Abad is a psychiatrist, a primary care doctor for the mind. He provides care the psychological well-being of men and women, with an ability to diagnose and help manage all of the different types of mental illness. These might include things like depressive disorders, eating disorders, bipolar disorder or anxiety disorders, for example. Dr. Abad may provide treatments covering anything from medication management plans to unique forms of therapy.

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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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