Community Leaders from Across North Central Florida Announce Formation of Haven Hospice Foundation

Community leaders from across North Central Florida today announced the formation of the Haven Hospice Foundation, a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to supporting the work and mission of Haven Hospice, the area’s oldest and only locally governed hospice and palliative care provider.

Chairing the nine-member Haven Hospice Foundation Board of Directors is Daniel Martinez of Palatka. Other officers include Vice Chair L. Wayne McClain, also of Palatka, Secretary Darryl Patterson of Jacksonville, and Treasurer John Medina of Lake City. Sharon Jones, FAHP, CFRE, Vice President of Development for Haven, will serve as executive director of the new foundation.

“Having experienced Haven services, I know the importance of financially supporting a local legacy hospice,” Martinez said. “Healthcare and hospice are on the cusp of significant change in the years ahead. There will be a greater focus on what Medicare is calling value-based care and, at the same time, Medicare Advantage plans will be contracting directly with hospice providers. As a result of these changes, Haven needs to be able to invest and evolve to adapt to these new reimbursement models—all while continuing to meet the needs of a growing North Central Florida.”

Over more than 40 years of providing quality, compassionate care to friends and family in the 18-county Haven service area, “The Haven mission of honoring life by providing comfort, care and compassion to individuals and families we serve is more vital than ever to North Central Florida,” said Pauline Taylor, RN, MHA, President of Haven and a member of the Haven Foundation Board of Directors. She continued, “We are excited to announce the formation of this significant group that will engage with community leaders and supporters representing Haven’s service area.”

Board Vice Chair L. Wayne McClain added, “With the aging of America, Florida and North Central Florida, there is greater need for Haven care and services, a greater opportunity for Haven to fulfill its mission and meet growing community need for hospice and palliative care for patients wherever they reside.”

As a stand-alone organization, the Haven Hospice Foundation will develop and implement comprehensive fundraising programs targeting specific needs and opportunities and offer a full-range of giving options to individuals, corporations and foundations. The foundation will be actively involved in applying for appropriate grants, offering planned giving and legacy giving opportunities, and ensuring that every donor is recognized for their generosity and community commitment.

“With a separate, independent, community-based Board of Directors, the Haven Hospice Foundation will provide greater transparency, expanded community involvement, enhanced fiscal responsibility and heightened oversight/accountability to the communities Haven is privileged to serve,” Jones noted.

Members of the Haven Hospice Foundation Board of Directors

BERNIE FITZGERALD

Bernie Fitzgerald grew up in Birmingham, Michigan, and graduated from Lawrence Institute of Technology (Southfield, Michigan). Bernie moved to Florida in 1980. He and his wife owned Fitzgerald Advertising and Public Relations for 25 years. Their clients included high tech companies like Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Airbus as well as hospitality clients like Marriott Vacation Club, Hilton Grand Vacation, Grand Lakes Orlando and Ritz Carlton Club Resorts. Bernie and his wife currently own three Senior Helpers territories. Bernie is past president of the Florida Epilepsy Providers Association, an Alzheimer’s Family Organization board member and a current advisory board member for Elder Source. Bernie currently serves on Haven’s Gainesville Community Advisory Board.

 

KEITH C. LEIBFRIED

Keith Leibfried is Chairman of the Board of First Federal Bank, Lake City, Florida. He is a graduate of Florida State University. Keith joined First Federal Bank in 1974 and became President, CEO and Chairman of the Board in 1981. Under his leadership, the bank’s assets have grown from $10 million to nearly $3 billion. He has been active in a variety of professional and civic organizations. Keith has received a number of awards and recognitions, including the United Way Presidential Lifetime Volunteer Service Award. Keith currently serves on Haven’s Corporate Advisory Board.

 

DANIEL MARTINEZ

Danny Martinez is a native of Tampa, Florida, and graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. He retired from Georgia Pacific Corporation as a Senior Vice President of Pulp and Paper Manufacturing. Danny currently serves as President of the Rodeheaver Foundation and Trustee of HCA Putnam Community Medical Center. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the St. Johns River State College Foundation and is a past chair of the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce. Danny has received numerous community service awards throughout his career, most recently honored by the North Florida Council of Boy Scouts with the 2019 Silver Beaver Award. Danny currently serves on Haven’s Palatka Community Advisory Board.

 

WAYNE McCLAIN

Wayne McClain is Vice President for Beck Automotive Group located in Palatka, Florida. Wayne graduated from Florida State University and holds an MBA with honors from the University of North Florida, Jacksonville. Wayne’s career includes stints with JM Family Enterprises, Deerfield Beach, Florida, and Toyota USA. Wayne has also been a schoolteacher and principal. He currently serves on the Putnam County Medical Center Board of Trustees and the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Wayne has received numerous awards, including the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce Board Member of the Year and the Robert W. Webb Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rotary Club of Palatka. He speaks frequently to groups on customer and employee loyalty. Wayne currently serves on Haven’s Palatka Community Advisory Board.

 

JOHN MEDINA

John Medina currently serves as President and CEO of First Federal Bank in Lake City, Florida. He has a long history in banking, having started his career with First Union National Bank in its training program. John is a graduate of Florida State University and holds an MBA from the University of Florida. He spent several years as an Army Light Infantry Officer in the Reserves and Florida Army National Guard. In his community service, John volunteers with the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Community Foundation of North Central Florida and the Rotary Club of Lake City, serving as its District Governor in 2018–2019. John currently serves on the Haven Lake City Community Advisory Board.

 

DARRYL PATTERSON

Darryl Patterson is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. He is the owner and operator of Patterson Cremation and Funeral Service in Jacksonville. Darryl retired from the Jacksonville Fire/Rescue Department with the rank of lieutenant after 26 years of service. Prior to that time, he owned and operated a mortgage and real estate company that provided affordable housing and low-cost mortgages. Darryl currently serves as Treasurer of the Board of Directors of the Exchange Club of Jacksonville; he is the Sergeant at Arms of the City of Jacksonville Retired Employee Association and is a member of the City of Jacksonville Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Board. Darryl currently serves on Haven’s Jacksonville Community Advisory Board.

NORLENE ROBERTS

Norlene Roberts and her husband, Irving, are the owners of Roberts Ranch, which is a timber operation as well as a Hunting Preserve outside of Palatka. Norlene and Irving started Roberts Communications and Communications Products, which they later sold to Motorola and Nextel. They then acquired interest in Earth Fare, building 13 stores that they later sold. Norlene and Irving then built and acquired eight shopping centers. Their ranch includes a deer farm, where they raise white tail deer and exotic animals for hunts and for sale. Norlene has previously served on Haven’s Corporate Advisory Board and currently serves on Haven’s Palatka Community Advisory Board.

 

LARRY SCHREIBER

Larry Schreiber serves as the President and CEO of SantaFe Healthcare, the corporate parent of Haven. He is a 34-year veteran of the healthcare field. SantaFe HealthCare, managing health and care through all stages of life, operates AvMed, SantaFe Senior Living, SantaFe Village and Haven. Previous to assuming his role at SantaFe, Larry was the President and CEO of Empire BlueCross BlueShield in New York State and CEO of the Wisconsin Collaborate Insurance Company, both Anthem Companies. Larry graduated from the University of Tampa.

 

 

PAULINE TAYLOR

Pauline Taylor serves as the President of Haven Hospice. She previously served as Assistant Vice President and Executive Director of AdventHealth Hospice of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida. Prior to AdventHealth, Pauline served as Chief Operating Officer of Hospice of St. Francis, Titusville, Florida. Pauline is a registered nurse and certified as an Assisted Living Administrator. She currently serves as Vice Chair of External Affairs for the Florida Hospice & Palliative Care Association. She also is certified as an Advanced Certified Hospice Executive (ACHE) from the National Board for Home Care and Hospice Certification.