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The Worksite Wellness committee of the Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade, an initiative of the Miami-Dade County Health Department, is launching a new web site to assist local businesses to start their own worksite wellness programs. Many companies are realizing that worksite wellness programs may well be the front line of health promotion and disease prevention to keep a healthy, happy workforce. The new web page offers links to the following resources to assist local businesses interested in starting worksite wellness programs:

  • Worksite Wellness Online Resource Directory – provides a comprehensive listing of free online resources – websites and articles to assist businesses wishing to start wellness programs
  • Listing of Local Worksite Wellness Service Providers
  • Case Studies – Why Worksite Wellness Works!
  • Primers – such as “How to Build a Cost Effective Worksite Wellness Program” and “Programs Most Commonly Utilized by Employers” developed by Consortium members for Consortium members

In addition to providing useful tools to help local businesses start worksite wellness programs, the Worksite Wellness subcommittee has also prepared an informative presentation that they are prepared to deliver to Rotary Clubs and local Chambers of Commerce county-wide to educate businesses on the benefits of targeted worksite wellness programs.



Dawn Javersack has been named Chief Financial Officer of Broward Health.

Javersack spent nearly 20 years with West Penn Allegheny Health System in Pittsburgh. Most recently, she served as CFO for Allegheny General. She was also vice president of finance for the not-for-profit system, which includes six hospitals, a trauma center, 35 outpatient and diagnostic facilities, home health and hospice. Prior to that, Javersack was director of finance for the system’s Western Pennsylvania Hospital.



Rushael Caddy, R.N., realized on the first day of nursing orientation at Broward General Medical Center (BGMC) that she wanted to work as a lactation consultant. Also in orientation that day was Debbie Lichtman, RN, BSN, IBCLC, who had recently accepted a position in BGMC’s Lactation Center.

“From the first day I met her, before she ever worked as a nurse, Rushael asked me how she could become a lactation consultant,” recalled Lichtman. “I told her to first learn what is normal in babies and to become proficient as a mother-baby nurse. Rushael was very enthused about working in the mother-baby (M/B) unit and being a lactation consultant.”

While Caddy was gaining experience in the M/B unit and developing a rapport with co-workers and patients, the Lactation Center at BGMC was expanding its program. Alanna Yormark, nurse manager of the Lactation Center and Tower Maternity, was looking for RNs with IBCLC certification to help expand services. However, in an era of nursing shortages, she was having difficulty filling the positions. Eventually she decided to educate and cultivate the existing talent on her unit.

“It’s an advantage to ‘grow your own’ lactation consultants because they already have a rapport with the staff and are recognized and trusted by physicians,” said Yormark.

Caddy had a thirst for knowledge in asking questions, reading textbooks and looking for educational opportunities in working as a lactation consultant. Yormark also noticed that patients identified with Caddy, since she’s a young mother herself, and that she loved to educate, which is an important component of working as a lactation consultant.

Gaining IBLCE certification as a lactation consultant requires coursework, hours of qualifying experience working with breastfeeding mothers and babies, and passing a rigorous exam. Yormark assisted Caddy in finding and attending courses that provided training in lactation and qualified her to sit for the IBLCE exam. Yormark also assigned Caddy to work for six weeks in the Lactation Center where she did rounds with the lactation consultants and observed the mothers and babies in the NICU unit. She assessed and educated the patients under supervision of a certified lactation consultant, and assisted in answering their questions. Caddy was also given the opportunity to observe Lichtman teaching one of the antenatal breastfeeding classes at BGMC.

“It was a lot of work coming back after having a baby,” Caddy admitted, “but training for this certification has really increased my ability to help parents and babies. I easily identify with them since I am a breastfeeding mother myself who can help others learn and appreciate the important health aspects of breastfeeding.”

In July of 2007, Rushael Caddy sat for the IBLCE exam. That November she received a passing score and was welcomed as a member of Broward General’s Lactation Center staff.

“I truly have my dream job today thanks to my mentors at Broward General,” said Caddy.



Mark E. Robitaille, senior vice president and chief operating officer at Martin Memorial since 1991, has played a key role in the health system’s growth over the past two decades. This fall, that role will become even more significant.

The Martin Memorial Health Systems Board of Directors announced that Robitaille will take the reins as president and chief executive officer of the health system. He will replace Richmond M. Harman, who is retiring after serving as president and CEO since 1989.

Robitaille began his career at Martin Memorial in 1976 as an assistant administrator responsible for corporate planning, as well as design and construction management of new facilities. He left in December 1981 for the West Orange Memorial Hospital Tax District in Winter Garden, FL, where he served as chief executive officer, before joining a national investment banking firm based in Orlando and provided investment services for healthcare organizations.