LSFHealthSystems

08/27/2026

We’re officially less than a week away from the Marion Zero Su***de Summit! As Sept. 3 gets closer, we have a few more voices from our speaker lineup we’re excited to introduce.

Meet Debra Velez, chief operating officer of the Marion County Hospital District.

Debra brings more than 30 years of experience in public health and human services, with a career focused on strengthening families, expanding access to behavioral health care and building stronger systems of support.

Today, she helps lead strategic investments and initiatives that improve health and wellness across Marion County, including work addressing behavioral health, substance use disorders, domestic violence and prevention.

Debra knows what it takes to turn collaboration into real resources for a community, and we’re excited to have that perspective at the table Sept. 3.

There’s still time to join us. Get your tickets today for the Marion Zero Su***de Summit: https://lsfhealthsystems.org/zero-su***de-marion/

08/26/2026

We’re officially one week away from the LSF Health Systems Zero Su***de Summit in Marion County.

On Sept. 3, we’re bringing together people from across Marion County and beyond who are working every day to prevent su***de, strengthen mental health supports and help people through some of their hardest moments.

Keynote speaker Sgt. Kevin Briggs will share what he learned during more than 20 years patrolling the Golden Gate Bridge, where he helped more than 200 people choose to stay. He’ll be joined by local leaders, first responders, behavioral health professionals and advocates for a full day of conversations worth having.

There’s still time to join us in Ocala. If you haven’t gotten your ticket yet, grab yours today: https://lsfhealthsystems.org/zero-su***de-marion/

08/24/2026

Our Sept. 3 Zero Su***de Summit in Marion County is just around the corner, and today we’re introducing another speaker who brings years of behavioral health and crisis response experience to the table.

Meet Jeremiah Alberico, senior clinical director for SMA Healthcare in Marion County.

Jeremiah oversees outpatient and crisis response services across Marion and Citrus counties and specializes in trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, substance misuse and serious mental illness. He is a licensed mental health counselor and licensed marriage and family therapist, as well as a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

His experience working directly with individuals in crisis brings an important perspective to the conversations we’ll be having around su***de prevention and access to care.

We’re glad to have Jeremiah joining us Sept. 3 and we hope to see you there as well. Get your tickets today and be part of the Marion County Zero Su***de Summit - https://lsfhealthsystems.org/zero-su***de-marion/

08/23/2026

Our Sept. 3 Zero Su***de Summit in Marion County is bringing together people who know this community and have spent their careers serving the people who call it home.

Today, meet Jennifer Martinez, executive director of Marion Senior Services.

Since 2015, Jennifer has led programs supporting older adults throughout Marion County, while also overseeing the county’s paratransit transportation system. Her commitment to service extends well beyond her day-to-day role, with years of involvement in local nonprofit organizations, advisory councils and statewide aging networks.

Jennifer understands the importance of making sure people have access to support, connection and resources at every stage of life. We’re excited to have her perspective as part of the conversation around su***de prevention and stronger, healthier communities.

Join Jennifer and our full lineup of speakers Sept. 3 at the Marion Zero Su***de Summit. Get your tickets today - https://lsfhealthsystems.org/zero-su***de-marion/

08/21/2026

We’re getting closer to our Sept. 3 Zero Su***de Summit in Marion County, and our speaker lineup includes some familiar faces who have spent years serving this community.

Meet City of Ocala - Government Mayor Ben Marciano.

For more than 20 years, Ben has worked to improve the health and well-being of the Ocala community. From his early work in health and fitness to his leadership at the DeLuca YMCA and now as mayor, his career has remained centered on service.

As mayor, Ben has made public safety, mental and physical health, and community engagement key priorities. He is also a strong supporter of local mental health initiatives and organizations serving youth and families throughout Marion County.

We’re looking forward to having Mayor Marciano join us Sept. 3 and bring his local perspective to the conversation around su***de prevention.

Get your tickets today and join us at the Marion Zero Su***de Summit - https://lsfhealthsystems.org/zero-su***de-marion/

08/20/2026

Strong communities are built through connection.

A new Riverbend News article highlights how LSF Health Systems’ Uplift Communities initiative is bringing faith leaders, behavioral health providers and community partners together to help connect people in rural communities with mental health and substance misuse resources.

By meeting people where they are and working through trusted local relationships, we’re helping make support more accessible across North Florida.

Read the full article:

Danny Federico [email protected] In rural communities, people struggling with mental health or substance misuse may not always turn to a doctor or counselor first. Sometimes, they go to their pastor. ​That connection...

08/20/2026

The Marion Zero Su***de Summit is coming up Sept. 3, and we’re continuing to introduce the local leaders who will be joining us for an important day of conversation and collaboration.

Meet Curt Bromund, CEO of the Marion County Hospital District.

Curt brings more than three decades of experience across leadership, health care, education and business, with much of his work focused right here in Marion County.

At the Marion County Hospital District, Curt has helped bring major community health initiatives to life, including a $15 million annual public health grant system, the Fitness and Nutrition in Schools program, the Active Marion Project and the Beacon Point treatment campus, which supports Marion County residents facing substance use disorders.

We’re excited to have Curt bring his experience and deep connection to this community to the Zero Su***de Summit.

Join us Sept. 3 in Marion County. Get your tickets today and be part of the conversation - https://lsfhealthsystems.org/zero-su***de-marion/

08/18/2026

We’re counting down to our Sept. 3 Zero Su***de Summit in Marion County and we're excited to highlight another speaker bringing an important perspective to the conversation.

Meet Chaplain Joe Hassler.

Joe brings more than a decade of ministry experience across church, correctional and law enforcement settings. Today, he serves as chaplain for the Ocala Police Department, providing spiritual care, crisis support and wellness guidance to officers and staff.

His experience gives him a firsthand understanding of the challenges first responders face and the importance of supporting those who spend their careers showing up for others.

We’re excited to have Joe join the conversation Sept. 3. Get your tickets today and join us at the Marion County Zero Su***de Summit - https://lsfhealthsystems.org/zero-su***de-marion/

08/17/2026

As we reflect on a successful Zero Su***de Summit in St. Johns, we have a lot to look forward to. Our speaker lineup for our upcoming Sept. 3 Zero Su***de Summit in Marion County is just as exciting!

Meet Capt. Jesse Blaire of Ocala Fire Rescue.

Jesse has spent nearly three decades on the front lines of emergency medical care, beginning his career as an EMT in 1997 before becoming a paramedic in 2000. Since then, his work has taken him from Ocala Fire Rescue to the ShandsCair Critical Care Transport Program and the Ocala Police Department’s SWAT team.

He is also the co-founder of the University of Florida’s Critical Care Transport Paramedic Program and developed Ocala Fire Rescue’s Mobile Integrated Healthcare Program, with a focus on chronic disease management, opioid use disorder and dementia and Alzheimer’s care.

Jesse brings a perspective to the Zero Su***de Summit that comes from years of responding to people in some of their most difficult moments. We’re excited to have him join us in Marion County and add his experience to an important conversation about su***de prevention and the role we all play in building stronger communities.

Join us Sept. 3 for the Marion Zero Su***de Summit. Get your tickets today and be part of the conversation - https://lsfhealthsystems.org/zero-su***de-marion/

08/13/2026

St. Johns County really showed up yesterday! Seeing so many first responders, mental health providers and community members fill the room for our Zero Su***de Summit was a powerful reminder of how much this work matters to so many people.

More than 100 people joined us for a day centered on strengthening su***de prevention and building a community where people know they don’t have to struggle alone.

Thank you to our incredible speakers, attendees and generous sponsors for making the day so special. We’re grateful to everyone who had a hand in bringing it together.

And we’re not done yet. Next stop: Marion County. If you missed out on our St. Johns Summit, there’s still time to get your tickets and join us Sept. 3 in Marion County - https://lsfhealthsystems.org/zero-su***de-marion/