This hearty lentil-vegetable soup, packed with kale and tomatoes, makes a filling, fiber-rich main dish. Add a Parmesan rind for nutty depth, or use vegetarian Parmesan for a rennet-free option.
Faithful Healer, Tireless Advocate: Dr. Sherry Brooks Retires from Grace
With hearts full of gratitude, we celebrate the remarkable service of Dr. Sherry Brooks, who retired after 15 years of faithful leadership as Grace Medical Home’s Adult Medical Director.
From the moment she joined Grace, Dr. Brooks became more than a physician—she became a tireless advocate, mentor, and champion for our patients. Guided by compassion, rooted in faith, and driven by excellence, she helped shape Grace into Central Florida’s trusted medical home for those without insurance.
Caring with Grace: Meet Dr. Kathleen Dixon
Eatonville hosts community health event to promote health living and wellness
Click the button below to see Beatriz Oliveira’s story that aired July 23, 2025 on WFTV.
Health, Heart, and Hope in Eatonville
Thank you to everyone who joined us and the Central Florida Black Nurses Association, Inc. in Eatonville this month for our Community Health Talk! And a special thanks to the Winter Park Health Foundation for making this event possible.
Awakened By Grace
For a long time, Mabel faced her health battles alone. Struggling with kidney problems, high blood pressure, and diabetes, she lived each day with uncertainty. Without regular care, her condition worsened. She eventually lost vision in her left eye and found herself relying on emergency room visits at HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital just to get by.
8 Summer Foods to Add to Your Diet
8 Summer Foods to Add to Your Diet
Enjoy the vibrant flavors of summer produce--fresh, delicious, and packed with nutrients to keep you energized and health all season. Including these seasonal foods in your summer meals can help you stay energized, nourished, and feeling your best--just remember to hydrate and keep meals balanced.
Finding His Calling
When Nathan Webb first heard about the Orlando Heart of the City Fellows Program, he didn’t think it was for him. A recent graduate from UNC Chapel Hill with a passion for public health, Nathan was looking for more than just a job—he was searching for purpose.
"I didn’t think there was an intersection between my faith and my education,” Nathan shared. “I thought I had to choose one or the other.”
On Par with Purpose: 12th Spa Invitational Drives Impact for Grace
The 12th Annual Spa Invitational, presented by Orlando Health Women’s Institute, brought together a remarkable community of supporters for a day dedicated to rest, connection, and purpose. This beloved event has become a cornerstone of support for Grace Medical Home’s mission to provide exceptional, whole-person care to uninsured individuals and families in Central Florida.
Welcome, Mary Helen O'Connor, Philanthropy Manager
Please join us in welcoming Mary Helen O’Connor, PhD, as the Philanthropy Manager at Grace Medical Home. Mary Helen O'Connor, PhD, was a teacher and researcher with a focus on uplifting marginalized and vulnerable communities, particularly those affected by forced migration at Georgia State University for 20 years. Her work in Clarkston, Georgia – known as "the most diverse square mile in America" – led her to a career supporting individuals facing significant disparities in education, income, health, and housing.
Let's Celebrate Grace: A Night of Reflection and Gratitude
On April 24, Grace Medical Home marked a significant milestone—15 years of transforming the health and lives of the uninsured in Central Florida. Hosted under a welcoming tent at Grace, Let’s Celebrate Grace brought together board members, donors, volunteers, patients, and community supporters for an evening filled with joy, gratitude, and inspiration.
A Young Advocate's Gift
Ellie is no stranger to Grace Medical Home. In fact, her recent decision to donate to Grace after winning a school competition is rooted in a deep and personal connection that began years ago.
Ellie has always known about Grace Medical Home. Her mom, Scarlett Stewart Broughton, was the first director of development. From a young age, Ellie was surrounded by the mission and message of Grace, a place where compassionate care and the love of Christ come together to serve those in need. Her connection to Grace goes back to fourth grade, when she organized a popsicle stand and donated the proceeds to Grace. That same year, she also led the morning devotion at the clinic, demonstrating her heart for service even then.
Grace Medical Home In The News
Spectrum News 13 stopped by our recent Community Heath Talk, in partnership with the Central Florida Black Nurses Association and the Winter Park Health Foundation, in Eatonville. Click on the photo above to see the full story.
A Light in the Darkness
Welcome New Board Members, Tim Cook and Tony Jenkins
Grace Medical Home recently welcomed two new members to their Board of Directors: Tim Cook, senior vice president and chief mission integration officer for AdventHealth and Tony Jenkins, Market President, Central Florida Region, for Florida Blue.
Tim Cook, senior vice president and chief mission integration officer for AdventHealth, has over 30 years of leadership experience in church, community, and health care settings, including 25 years with AdventHealth. Previously, he served as CEO of AdventHealth Altamonte Springs and led the launch of The Hope & Healing Center in 2021 to support those struggling with opioid addiction. His leadership spans multiple AdventHealth facilities, including overseeing the construction of AdventHealth Apopka’s new campus. Before health care, he was a pastor and a United Way executive director. Cook holds a master’s in humanities and religion from Andrews University and a bachelor’s in theology from Pacific Union College. He and his wife, Vivian, live in Longwood, Florida, and enjoy making music with their family.
Tony Jenkins is the Market President for Florida Blue’s Central Florida region, where he provides strategic oversight to drive business growth, enhance brand visibility, and foster employee engagement. With a background in Human Resources and Public Relations at CSX Corporation and 20 years in leadership roles at Walt Disney World, he brings extensive experience in hospitality and corporate management. Tony is deeply involved in the Orlando community, serving on multiple boards, including Grace Medical Home and the UCF College of Medicine Dean’s Advisory Council. Recognized for his leadership, he has received numerous accolades, including the Orlando Business Journal’s CEO of the Year and Diversity in Business Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Tim’s extensive experience in health care, mission integration, and community service will enrich our work and strengthen our commitment to whole-person care, said Grace’s CEO, Stephanie Nelson Garris. “Tony’s exceptional leadership and deep expertise in business strategy, community engagement, and healthcare innovation will be invaluable. We are honored to have Tim and Tony serve on our board to advance Grace’s mission and expand our impact in Central Florida.”
A Mother and Daughter's Journey of Services
Dr. Neha Doshi never imagined that volunteering at Grace Medical Home would become more than just an extension of her career—it would become a bridge between generations.
After 20 years in medical practice, Neha felt a calling to give back in a new way. “I grew up volunteering and realized I needed to go back to my roots,” she reflects. Finding Grace Medical Home was like coming full circle. Every Thursday, she traded the familiar rush of private practice for the quiet, unwavering mission of Grace—serving those who might otherwise go unseen. “Doctors get to help people every day, but at Grace, I am really making a difference—I feel it in my soul.”
Hope Renewed: A Morning of Prayer and Praise at Grace
Grace Medical Home recently hosted our annual Patient Worship Service, offering an uplifting time of worship, prayer, and encouragement for our community. The event was a beautiful reminder that Jesus cares for every patient, family, and individual who walks through our doors.
The service opened with a heartfelt prayer from Dr. Sherry Brooks, setting the tone for a morning of reflection and hope. The Grace Worship Team led the congregation in powerful songs, including He Calls Me Friend and I Run to the Father, filling the space with melodies of faith and reassurance.
Pastor Omar Cardona delivered an inspiring message, reminding all in attendance of God’s deep love and care. He also extended an invitation to receive prayer, a moment that many embraced, finding comfort and support from our dedicated prayer team members.
A highlight of the service was patient testimonials led by Dr. Marvin Hardy, offering firsthand stories of perseverance, healing, and the impact of compassionate care. These testimonies deeply resonated with those in attendance, reinforcing Grace’s mission.
The event concluded with words of gratitude and a closing prayer from Kirsten Carter, leaving everyone with a renewed sense of faith and encouragement.
We hope that those in attendance left Grace with more than just a program in their hands; they carried with them the peace and promise that Jesus cares for them and that they are not alone.
Grace Wellness Home Recognized by National Community Development Association with 2025 Audrey Nelson Award
The National Community Development Association (NCDA) named the Grace Wellness Home as the recipient of the 2025 Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Award, which was presented at their Winter/Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. on Friday, February 7th. City of Orlando staff accepted the award and delivered a presentation on the partnership and project.
You are Here Today Because Someone Chose to Listen
Lauren Carmody, right forefront, scribes while Hannah Sleppy, PA, examines patient, Sonia.
Whoever has ears, let them hear – Matthew 11:15
I was working with Michelle Cornell, APRN, a few weeks ago and when we walked into an exam room. I immediately noticed that her patient was hunched over in his chair. A million things ran through my mind -- Was the patient sick? Did we need to call for help? Michelle confidently walked into the room, put everything she had down on the counter, looked the patient in the eyes, and said five words to him - “Tell me what’s going on.” An open-ended question, no strings attached. The patient poured out his heart and told her about the incredibly difficult things he was facing. She never stopped or interrupted him. At the end of the conversation, Michelle offered several services to the patient, but he declined and said, “I think I’m good – I really just needed someone to listen.” He left a completely different person than the one who walked through the door.
It was such a powerful moment and a beautiful reminder that the simple act of listening can be profoundly impactful. According to one source, listening is referred to 412 times in the Bible. Its emphasis in scripture must be indicative of its importance. Because in listening, we learn. In listening, we can better understand those around us. In listening, we can change lives.
This act of listening reminded me of my own story and how one physician who chose to listen changed the trajectory of my life. In 2012, I was practicing law at a firm in downtown Orlando when I started experiencing excruciating pain at the base of my skull. I made an appointment with my primary care physician, but he dismissed my concerns. My symptoms persisted. A few months later, I lost complete function on the right side of my face. I went back to my PCP, he diagnosed me with Bell’s Palsy and asked me to return in 6 months. He also referred me to ophthalmology because the paralysis was impacting my eye.
The ophthalmologist that he referred me to was Margaret Poulos, one of our dedicated Grace volunteers. I went to see her, and when she walked into the exam room (much like Michelle) she said five words to me – tell me what’s going on. I told her everything and she listened intently. She told me she was studying for her board recertification and had just read the section on Bell’s Palsy. All of her instincts told her that something didn’t add up. She didn’t think I had Bell’s Palsy and ordered an MRI.
I got the MRI and Dr Poulos’ instincts were right. The imaging revealed a large tumor at the base of my skull. A few weeks later I had surgery at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida where my doctors discovered that I had chondrocarcoma, a rare bone cancer. After I recovered from surgery, I was referred to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston for oncology. My oncologist in Boston would often tell me, “You are here today because your ophthalmologist chose to listen.”
By the end of 2012, I was deemed NED (no evidence of disease) by my doctors. Although we were overjoyed that I had received such encouraging results, I would require lifelong surveillance due to the nature of chondrosarcoma. This was a difficult reality to digest. I so desperately wanted to be cured so I could move on with my life. I had no idea how to live scan to scan, in a constant state of uncertainty. I was struggling spiritually and mentally. A friend encouraged me to go on a retreat to process my emotions. While I was there, I met with a priest who suggested I make a list of the ways cancer had blessed my life. I was infuriated. It felt so insensitive. How could cancer be a blessing? After taking some time to process his suggestion, I heeded his advice. I started to write and I couldn’t stop. Among the many blessings that stemmed from my cancer diagnosis were the doctors, nurses, and medical professionals I met during my journey.
When I returned to my law office after our time in Boston, all I could think about was the incredible impact the medical profession made on my life. I felt like God was calling me into healthcare but there was one problem – I was a lawyer. How do you walk away from a decade worth of legal work to pursue something totally different? While contemplating this life change, my husband and I found out that we were expecting our first child. My pregnancy was picture perfect, until it wasn’t. At 23-week’s gestation I unexpectedly went into preterm labor. Despite our doctor’s best efforts to delay our son’s birth, he was born 16-weeks prematurely weighing just 1 pound, 12 ounces. There I was again, thrust back into the healthcare system. We lived in the NICU for 109-days. Thankfully, our son had a miraculous outcome, but our experience solidified that I had been called into healthcare.
In 2017, I began exploring the process of shifting careers and I enrolled in my first post-baccalaureate class. Around that same time, I was invited to an event called Let’s Say Grace that benefited Grace Medical Home. There, I reconnected with Stephanie Garris, who I had met many years prior in the Junior League of Greater Orlando. She was now serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Grace Medical Home. Also a lawyer who found a way to serve in healthcare, Stephanie quickly became a trusted mentor. After listening to my story, she invited me to Grace. I began volunteering in 2019 in Care Coordination and then became a Gap Year Intern in 2024.
The second day of my Gap Year Internship, Dr. Carter stopped me and said, “Lauren, I think one of the reasons God brought you here was so we could encourage you in your journey.” A few days later, unaware of this conversation, Michelle Cash pulled me aside to offer words of encouragement. I was caught so off guard by her kindness that it brought me to tears. When I embarked on this new career path, many people questioned my decision to leave the practice of law. Although I felt confident in my calling, my resolve was shaken on more than one occasion. Grace has been different. Every single person I have encountered at the clinic has unequivocally supported my journey. They have prayed with me, over me, and for me. They have taken the time to teach me with incredible patience. They have gone out of their way to support my studies, offer gentle advice and constant encouragement.
People often ask if being at Grace has solidified my desire to pursue healthcare. My answer is unequivocally, yes. Being at Grace each day fills my life with indescribable joy. Starting each day with devotion has strengthened my spiritual life and has kept Christ at the center of my time at the clinic. I have been privileged to work alongside incredible providers. I have watched breathtaking transformations and have witnessed life after life improved for the better. I have learned from staff members who meet every challenge with profound love, compassion and empathy. I have thought often of Dr. Carter’s comment over the last few months. She knew from the beginning what it took me months to learn – that I needed Grace as much as Grace needed me.
I have volunteered with many organizations over the years and Grace is, by far, the most special place I have ever invested my time. The culture of Grace is different, and you can feel it from the moment you walk in the door. Everyone who works at the clinic, from the registration desk to the exam rooms, wants to be there. They believe in the mission of the organization and work every day to put their faith into action.
Much of our lives are public, but in healthcare, we often come alone. Without family, friends, support. I was alone when I got that phone call from Dr. Poulos, my husband and I were alone in the NICU with our medically fragile child. Healthcare providers, by proxy, stepped into the role of family and friends for us. I know, first-hand, the impact that healthcare can have on an individual, and I see it every single day at Grace. Exam rooms are transformed into sacred spaces and our providers become the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to the suffering. Your investment in Grace Medical Home carries long-lasting impacts far beyond treating a medical condition. Much like the gentleman who walked into the clinic hunched over and distraught, every single person that enters the doors of Grace leaves in a better place than when they came.
