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Shepherd's Hope has announced the resignation of President and CEO Marni F. Stahlman, Ph.D., ABD, who has accepted an appointment to join the Make-A-Wish® Foundation of Central and Northern Florida as its President and CEO. Stahlman's last day with Shepherd's Hope will be Jan. 4, 2019.

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The leadership of Shepherd's Hope Board of Directors has begun a nationwide search for a new CEO. In the meantime, the organization will continue to execute its strategic 2019 plan under the interim leadership of Jean Zambrano, vice president of Clinical Operations.

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"On behalf of the Board of Directors of Shepherd's Hope, we congratulate Marni on her exciting new role with Make-A-Wish, one that comes with significant state and national responsibilities," said Board Chairman Chirag B. Kabrawala. "We expect she will help Make-A-Wish grow and excel as she did with Shepherd's Hope. More importantly, we thank Marni for her dedication to Shepherd's Hope during her tenure and wish her much success."

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Stahlman joined Shepherd's Hope in 2013 during a significant turning point in its history when patient needs were significantly outpacing the capacity of the organization. Stahlman joined the organization to help it achieve (and surpass) numerous goals, including streamlining operations, reducing and realigning clinic locations, expanding operating hours, establishing electronic recordkeeping, cultivating new donor and business relationships, recruiting new Board members, and assisting in the selection and development of a new clinic and administrative office for the organization.

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A few of Stahlman's many accomplishments during her five-year tenure with Shepherd's Hope include:

• System-wide implementation of the Cerner electronic health record software;
• Newfound partnerships and collaborations with numerous training institutions, including Seminole State College, UCF College of Nursing, Adventist University and UCF College of Medicine, each of which include training within clinics as part of each student's matriculation; and
• Overseeing the financing, construction, development, and staffing of the organization's new facility in Winter Garden (which is scheduled to open this upcoming February).

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Said Founder and Past President of Shepherd's Hope Dr. William S. Barnes, who is also the Teaching Pastor of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, "Marni has been a stalwart custodian of the vision I shared from our beginning, and watching her expand the scope and healing outreach of Shepherd's Hope over the years of her leadership have been a true gift that both honors the past and embraces the future. As for her own future, I couldn't be happier for her and for the Make-A-Wish Foundation."

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Stahlman said, "Five and half years ago, I was called to Shepherd's Hope and received a clear directive from the Board that a transformative vision and action plan was needed if the organization was to rise to its next elevation in the community. My decision to transition to this new opportunity is based on a similar calling. It has been an honor to lead thousands of 'Caring People, Caring for People,' and I firmly believe that this essential 'caring' characteristic of every team member, board member, volunteer, community partner and donor makes Shepherd's Hope unique and special. I am proud of the progress of the entire Shepherd's Hope team and am committed to a seamless transition and uninterrupted execution of the Board's vision."

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Added Chairman Kabrawala, "I cannot argue with that reasoning; Marni has helped change the trajectory of this organization, which is on the cusp of opening the doors of its new facility, and is very much part of the conversation locally, state-wide, and nationally with regard to the healthcare continuum, thanks to the 'brand recognition' enjoyed by Shepherd's Hope."

Orlando Medical News is proud to be a strong supporter of Shepherd's Hope and appreciates the leadership shown by Marni and is excited for her opportunity. We also look forward to the excellent choice we know the Board will make to continue their mission.

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Shepherd's Hope is the leading voice for the uninsured and underinsured in Central Florida. Founded in 1997, the faith-based nonprofit organization provides free primary care and specialty care medical services to uninsured men, women and children from five free standing health centers in Orange and Seminole counties. In 2017, Shepherd's Hope provided 19,575 free patient visits and medical services thanks to partnerships with 2,800 licensed medical and general volunteers, three community hospital systems, 100 diagnostic/secondary providers and 23 multi-faith partners. To learn more, visit www.shepherdshope.org or call (407) 876-6699, ext. 228.