SUNRISE, Fla. -- In celebration of Black History Month, the Florida Panthers will be commemorating the second annual 'Celebration of Black Excellence' series recognizing South Florida community members making a difference.
From Black executives and educators to those in the culinary field, healthcare workers, media members, and more, the Panthers 'Celebration of Black Excellence' program will recognize individuals nominated by their peers, colleagues and families for the positive impact they are making in South Florida and beyond.
Black Excellence: Standouts in Service, Health & Wellness
Honorees' stories and achievements will be highlighted throughout Black History Month at FloridaPanthers.com and via Panthers social media platforms @FlaPanthers and @FlaPanthersCARE.
In this week of "Celebration of Black Excellence," the Panthers are proud to highlight nine standouts in service, health and wellness.
Dr. Anthony Adkins
Dentist & Owner, Atlas Smiles
Dr. Anthony Adkins was born and raised in Plantation, Florida, and attended a couple of the finest schools in the community -- American Heritage School and St. Thomas Aquinas High School. He not only understands the community but cares deeply about and wishes to continue to serve the community that gave him so much. Dr. Adkins is committed to community service and consistently participates in dental outreach events both locally and internationally.
Dr. Bernard Ashby
Founder & Chief Medical Officer, Comprehensive Vascular Care
Dr. Bernard Ashby was born and raised in South Florida. He is a highly trained vascular cardiologist, health policy expert, and founder of Comprehensive Vascular Care in Miami, Florida. He is a Florida State University alumnus. He received his Medical Degree from Cornell University Medical College and completed his Internal Medicine Residency at Columbia University. Dr. Ashby obtained his Master's in Public Policy from Princeton University. He is also a fellow of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC). He started his career as an academic vascular cardiologist at Mount Sinai Medical Center and professor of Medicine at Columbia University. Throughout his career, Dr. Ashby has maintained his commitment to his South Florida community. He is a part of the Erase the Hate Organization where he works with Overtown and Liberty City youth to create music and art to decrease gun violence. His is a volunteer at the Miami Rescue Mission Clinic where he provides free care to the homeless in Miami. Dr. Ashby also founded the CVC Fellowship Program, an internship program for students from high school to college to assist in them in the journey to a career in healthcare. Dr. Ashby always commits the time to mentor the younger generation of up-and-coming doctors. Despite all of his success, he remains humble and down to earth. He is determined to bettering the South Florida community.
Craymon Huskey
Peer Specialist, Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center
Craymon Huskey works with the Veterans Justice Programs assisting justice-involved veterans by providing them with support, guidance, and linking them to the VA services they need. Born in Talbot, Maryland but raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Craymon realized he had limited options. When he turned 17, he joined the United States Marine Corps. He would go on to serve in many roles and was stationed in Rabat, Morocco and Brasilia, Brazil. Craymon began working at the VA in 2012. He is reliable, dependable, and is extremely involved in providing outreach services to veterans both during work and his personal time. He goes out of his way to implement new services to assist and support the veterans. He is also heavily involved in community organizations to help veterans and continues to make a difference in the lives of his fellow veterans. Craymon is a member of the Moose Lodge 2267, Life Member of the American Legion, Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, First Vice Commander and Life Member of American Veterans Post 1939, and also on the Mission United Advisory Council Board.
Daniela Jean
City Commissioner, City of North Miami Beach
Daniela Jean is the first Black woman to serve in her elected seat, Group 3. She is also the youngest woman serving on the commission. Commissioner Jean has advocated for more resources to be made available for business owners, spearheading the city's first-ever Small Business Expo. During Black Business Month, she honored over 30 business and found community partners to aid in educating the public on readily available resources. She also implemented many initiatives, including Young Women of Distinction Cohort and a gun buyback program with North Miami Beach Police Department. Commissioner Jean graduated from Barry University with a Bachelor's in Biology and earned her Master's in Global Strategic Communications at Florida International University. She is a 5x author and adjunct professor at Miami Dade College. To date, she has mentored over 100 youth in South Florida.
Dr. Deborah Elvire Lolo
Pediatric Pharmacist, Manager of Publix/Nicklaus Children's Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy
Dr. Deborah Elvire Lolo was born and raised in Haiti. Her family migrated to the United States in the year 2000 where she completed high school and attended university. She earned a double bachelor's degree in Healthcare Administration and Business Administration at Florida Atlantic University followed by a doctorate degree in Pharmacy at Nova Southeastern University. As a pharmacist, Dr. Lolo held several leadership roles in the community. She is currently practicing as a pediatric pharmacist and manager of the Publix/Nicklaus Children's Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy. As a philanthropist, Dr. Lolo enjoys giving back to her community. Since the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, she has partnered up with a friend to run a yearly Christmas fundraising campaign for an orphanage located in Haiti. Money raised from the campaign provides Christmas gifts to the orphans and financial assistance to the facility. As an active member of the Haitian American Pharmacists Association for over the past three years, Dr. Lolo has organized and participated in many community activities locally and abroad where she has provided free health education and health screenings to the underserved community, health fairs, fundraisings for disaster relief and medical mission trips in Haiti. Dr. Lolo is currently the president of the Haitian American Pharmacists Association. She is the recipient of the 2022 Haitian American Chambers of Commerce of Florida top 20 under 40 award and the 2022 Legacy Magazine South Florida top 40 under 40 award. Additionally, she is one of the 2022 Haitian Heritage Month Honorees by the City of North Miami. Dr. Lolo is a polyglot. Besides English, she also speaks French, Spanish, and Creole.
Jean-Daniel Verret
Nurse, Catholic Health Hospice
Jean-Daniel Verret is a Hospice Care Manager for Catholic Health. He manages the care for end-of-life patients in coordination with healthcare providers, family members, and social workers. As a male nurse, Jean-Daniel strives to be a source of strength and comfort for the patients and family members. He understands that he may be the last person a patient encounters, so he believes it is his duty to show compassion, relieve the suffering, treat the physical needs, and allow the patient to go through the process with dignity, independence and free of pain. Jean-Daniel is a proud immigrant who came to the United States in pursuit of a better life for himself and his loved ones. He is a devoted Christian, a loving husband, and a dedicated father of three who has always worked hard to provide for his family. Through his determination and hard work, he has been able to establish a successful career and create a legacy for his children.
Dr. Lynette Johnson
Supervisory Audiologist, Miami VA
Dr. Lynette Johnson, originally from Charleston, SC, graduated with her Bachelors of Arts degree in Speech Language Pathology from Columbia College in 2001 and her Doctorate of Audiology degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2006. She has worked at the Miami VA Healthcare System since 2009. Prior to accepting a position to give back to our Nation's Veterans, she practiced at a large Ear, Nose and Throat Practice in Boca Raton, FL. She is currently the Supervisory Audiologist at the Miami VA, managing four busy clinics across Broward County. She is a servant leader and cares deeply about her staff and veterans and works to ensure they receive the best possible service. She is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day audiological and speech pathology operations which include managing patient care and concerns as well as working with a diverse group of professionals. She consistently maintains open lines of communication with patients as well as colleagues in the entire Miami VA Healthcare System. She is a 2020 Graduate of the VISN 8 Competency Development for Leaders and an active member of the Miami VA Systems Redesigns and Miami VA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committees. She has received several awards and accolades during her time with the organization. Dr. Johnson is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
Maurice Sales
Maritime Enforcement Specialist First Class, United States Coast Guard
Maurice Sales is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A Maritime Enforcement Specialist 1st Class, Maurice entered the Coast Guard in 2008 after earning his Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Francis University. Maurice served a variety of assignments, including Station Jones Beach, New York, Maritime Safety and Security Team San Diego, Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team, and deployment to the Middle East supporting Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. While serving in Coast Guard Deployable Special Forces Units, he was responsible for the seizure of over one ton of narcotics valued at over $70 million. Currently stationed at Coast Guard Sector Miami, he serves as a Boarding Officer where he is responsible for port security and boarding high risk vessels entering U.S. ports. He serves the South Florida area with his positive attitude and willingness to help others succeed. Maurice is married to his wife, Wannisa, and has two daughters, Arisa and Aryella.
Patricia Louis-Mills
SUD Social Worker, Veterans Affairs
Patricia Louis-Mills received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Social Work from Florida International University in Miami. She has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2010, providing therapy to at-risk youth and families with various diagnoses. Mrs. Louis-Mills is passionate about her work with youth and adults. As a Social Worker with more than 25 years of experience, she has provided short- and long-term psychotherapy to adolescents and adults of diverse communities. In addition to her professional work, Mrs. Louis-Mills is a dedicated member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., having served on the executive board for more than 20 years. In her current role as the Youth Auxiliary Advisor, she provides guidance and support to the more than 30 children and young women in the program this year, and over the course of her involvement with the youth groups, she has interacted, mentored, and coached several hundred children. Mrs. Louis-Mills has been a Qualified Supervisor and Mentor to many pursuing their degree in Social Work and holds positions on her HOA Board and in the National Association of Black Social Workers. Mrs. Louis-Mills has also recently been appointed by the Deputy Mayor of Sunrise to the Social Services Advisory Board. Mrs. Louis-Mills enjoys spending time and traveling with her husband, two children, and large, extended family.
To view honorees from Week 1, click
HERE
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