Regional Care Coordinator | Key Biscayne, FL

I was born in Havana, Cuba. My family came to the United States and settled in Florida when I was two-years-old. I am a graduate of Belen Jesuit Preparatory School (1976) and hold a Bachelor of Science degree in International Finance and Marketing from the University of Miami (1981). I have three children: Bruno, 23, attending law school at the University of Miami: Nicole, 20, attending Emerson University in Boston: and Olivia, 14, attending Gulliver Academy in Miami.

My younger brother and I both have Hemophilia A. Our mother was influential in our upbringing by encouraging us to learn about our bleeding disorder and to be active within the community. Over 30 years ago, I became involved with the Jackson Hemophilia Treatment Center in Miami, Florida. This involvement led me to take an active role as a Volunteer Patient Advocate. I soon became Director of Outreach for the Florida Chapter, networking with the Hispanic and Latin communities to inform families and improve their quality of life through education and care. By participating in many national conferences over the years, I have been provided with a network of resources for the bleeding disorder community.

As a volunteer for the Florida Hemophilia Foundation's Camps (Camp Ocala and Camp HAWK in Florida), I have worked diligently to teach children and their parents to empower themselves so that they can learn to surpass the obstacles of living with a bleeding disorder.

Recently, I brought together the Jackson Hemophilia Treatment Center and Community Smiles of Dade County, Florida, a program that provides quality dental health to those in need of such services. A project that I am currently working on is to bring together adult members of the community on a regular basis. I want to develop a trusting forum where we can vent our frustrations, offer encouragement, share some laughs, and just be there for each other.

As a Regional Care Coordinator with Matrix Health, I have the opportunity to reach out to the bleeding disorder community and "Make a Difference" by being able to also offer incomparable pharmacy services.