Meet the Team
Dr. Karethy Edwards has have 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.
Dr. Karen 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 and 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.
Kaelonni Rae Dorcius, LCSW, MSW, RCSWI, had the privilege of receiving her Master of Social Work degree from FAU. Her career began as a Clinical Social Worker in the hospital setting and she has eight years of experience in mental health and medical social work. She has a significant history of working with the substance use, indigent, geriatric and department of juvenile justice populations. Interesting fact about Kaelonni Rae, she was named after Miss America 1987.
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.
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.
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.
Kayla obtained her bachelors of psychology from Roger Williams University. She is currently enrolled in the Master of Social Work program at FAU. She has worked at an inpatient psychiatric hospital (Pembroke Hospital) for three years as a mental health associate. Kayla is a certified targeted case manager in the state of Florida and has three years of case management experience. She is currently a member of the Promise Fund of Florida which aims to reduce and prevent breast and cervical cancer through early detection.