Eleven AdventHealth clinicians and team members including, Lorenzo Brown, president and CEO for AdventHealth Fish Memorial and the West Volusia Market, and David Weis, president and CEO for AdventHealth Daytona Beach and the East Volusia Market, were among the nearly 50 recognized by the Central Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as part of their 2024 Healthcare and Valor awards.
These awards, which honor local health care, law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services professionals for their dedication to creating healthier and safer communities, were presented during a celebration at The Center at Deltona.
Brown was named Outstanding Healthcare Executive, recognizing his leadership in expanding access to care for residents of West Volusia County. Under his oversight, AdventHealth Fish Memorial opened a $100 million patient tower and added 15 primary care physicians and 35 specialists – including cardiologists, neurologists, vascular surgeons, and OB-GYNs – to the community.
Additionally, his commitment to improving lives is highlighted through mission trips to Guatemala, as well as volunteer service and board leadership with organizations such as Bethune-Cookman University and Backpack Buddies, a nonprofit focused on eliminating food insecurity by providing meals for school-aged children on weekends, during breaks and holidays.
Weis, who was honored as Outstanding CEO, received the recognition for his leadership and service to the communities of East Volusia County. Under his oversight, AdventHealth Daytona Beach recently announced plans for a multi-year, $220 million expansion and opened a three-story, state-of-the-art surgical facility and medical office building. Additionally, AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach, which is also part of Weis’ market, added surgical robotic technology to its growing menu of services in 2024.
Beyond hospital walls, Weis is actively involved in helping to make the community a better place through involvement with various organizations, including the Daytona Chamber of Commerce, Food Brings Hope and First Step Shelter, a low-barrier transitional housing homeless shelter for adults.
“I am immensely proud of each of our honorees,” said Audrey Gregory, Ph.D., RN, executive vice president and CEO of the AdventHealth East Florida Division. “All eleven individuals embody what it means to provide whole-person care. The honors bestowed on them by our community leaders are a testament to the focus AdventHealth places on providing the safest and highest quality care.”
In addition to Brown and Weis, honorees from AdventHealth included:
- Mayra Acevedo, RN, helps families through some of the most challenging situations of life as a hospice nurse.
- Ida Babazadeh, the senior manager of community advocacy oversees the East Florida Division’s work with various non-profit organizations. She is also an active volunteer with Pace Center for Girls and the United Way.
- Renata Baricelli, a physical therapist whose passion for helping others is contagious. She in known throughout AdventHealth Fish Memorial for her positive spirit in helping patients reach their goals, and in the community for her work with organizations supporting children.
- Dr. Zachary Cavins, a podiatrist specializing in foot and ankle surgery and an active volunteer with the DeLand High School athletics program, supporting student athletes.
- Erica Lapinsky, an advanced practice registered nurse in DeLand specializing in neurology and a volunteer teaching exercise and cooking classes to those with Parkinson’s disease.
- Miriam Martinez, a certified nursing assistant who is active in supporting the DeLand community as a volunteer helping to feed the homeless, packing backpacks and providing gifts during the holidays for kids in need.
- Debi McNabb serves as the director of community advocacy overseeing strategic engagement planning for the AdventHealth East Florida Division’s Community Health Needs Plan. She also supports these communities as a volunteer board member with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Volusia and Flagler counties and One Voice for Volusia.
- Katherine Smith, RN, has nearly a decade of experience caring for the community, including time with intensive care unit at AdventHealth Fish Memorial and as a clinical educator helping train the next generation of nurses to deliver compassionate care.
- Shawn Wilkinson, RN, an experienced professional with over three decades in health care. He is known for helping others to succeed and spreading cheer by playing his guitar and singing at AdventHealth Altamonte Springs, local libraries and his church.
