RESPONDERS FIRST WELLNESS PROGRAM IS HERE!
Board of Directors
Jesse Diaz-Franco Chair
Jesse Diaz-Franco LCSW
In 2012 I decided to reinvent myself which culminated in my Bachelors in Social Work and Minor in Psychology Degree from Saint Leo University in 2016. I continued on to receive my Masters in Social Work Advanced Clinical Practice in 2017. I was trained and became an Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) Clinician in July 2019, an Advanced ART Practitioner in October 2020, and an Enhanced ART Practitioner in May 2022. I have a total of 38 self-employed years in the Ceramic Tile industry and 46 years as a musician having played in Marching, Concert, Jazz, and Steel Bands as a percussionist. I have fronted Rock Bands and have led my church in worship for over 22 years. In January 2017 I melded my long belief in positive psychology with my passion for music to design a unique music group experience offered at Warrior Wellness Program where I also provide individual ART clinical sessions for Veterans and their spouses/significant others. In March, 2019 I founded Responders First Inc. and serve as Executive Director where I facilitate a weekly group which is comprised of First Responders and Veterans. This group provides an opportunity to be transparent in a safe setting. The goal of Responders First is to provide in a week long program, behavioral health care services to First Responders/Military and their spouse/significant other beginning in 2024 who are facing life challenges that stem from emotional difficulties associated with their stressful work experiences. This includes challenges and difficulties with daily life functioning including but not limited to symptoms of Post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and substance use. My primary passion is my family and I enjoy martial arts, having earned my 3rd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Jason Baldwin Vice Chair
Jason Baldwin, PharmD, is the Director of Pharmacy and Patient Experience Champion at Bravera Health Brooksville. He earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Mercer University and is board certified in Sterile Compounding. He has previously worked in the home health, long term care, and community pharmacy industries. He is a graduate of Leadership Hernando Class of 2019 and is a member of the Brooksville Rotary Club. He and his wife, Amy are proud to call Brooksville their adopted hometown. His enthusiasm for the community is what drives him to do his best every day because all of the patients we care for are somebody’s friend, neighbor, or family member. When not at work, Jason enjoys running, yard work, and spending time with his wife and family.
Debra Mims Treasurer
Dr. Debra A. Mims, Professor in Department of Criminal Justice
Dr. Debra Mims began her Law Enforcement career in 1989. While at the Tampa Police Department Dr. Mims was one of the first officers to be instated onto the Mounted Patrol Unit. Throughout her 27 years of law enforcement Dr. Mims has served in many capacities from
undercover operations, domestic violence investigator, child abuse investigator, elderly abuse investigator, community service officer and bicycle and mounted patrol squads. Dr. Mims is a certified Firearms Instructor, Recovery Agent Instructor, Security Officer Instructor, American Heart CPR/BLS instructor and holds a Private Investigators License. Dr. Mims received her doctoral degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Criminal Justice from North central University and is currently an Assistant Professor in the
School of Arts, Sciences and Allied Services at Saint Leo University where she has served since 2011. She has presented at numerous conferences both locally and internationally and has published many research articles in journals, magazines and books. Dr. Mims and her husband have eight dogs and her interests and research is in stress management, PTSD and mental health of First Responders and victims of crimes and how animals have helped individuals cope and overcome anxiety, stress and trauma related experiences.
Liz Casner Secretary
Experienced Realtor with a demonstrated history of working in the real estate industry, strong marketing& leadership background and very active in the chamber & community. Skilled in Sellers, Sales, Short Sales, Single Family Homes, and Working with First-Time Home Buyers. Strong real estate professional with a Bachelor of Arts - BA focused in Communication and Media Studies from The University of Toledo.
Pedro J. Verge
Pedro was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, in 1978. He moved to Spring Hill, Florida in June 1993 at the age of 15. Pedro attended Springstead High School and graduated with Honors in 1996. Soon after his High School graduation, he was accepted to the University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, where he began his initial courses to pursue a degree in computer engineering. Pedro left school to join the U.S. Army National Guard. On January 25, 1999, Pedro Verge was sworn in as an Infantry man and proceeded to Fort Benning, Georgia where he completed his Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training (AIT). After graduating AIT, Pedro reported to his combat infantry unit, A Co. 2/124th Infantry out of Leesburg, Florida. Pedro Verge moved up the ranks quickly in his unit for his exceptional work ethic and showed excellent leadership skills, in and off the field. In September 2001, he was selected to attend Primary Leadership Development Course in Fort Jackson, South Carolina and graduated in the top 10% of his class gaining his place in the Commandant’s Honors List. Soon after his graduation, Pedro was deployed as a Sergeant/ Team Leader in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In January 2003, A Co. 2/124 th Infantry Combat Team was one of the first National Guard units to be deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his deployment, Sergeant Pedro Verge was awarded multiple awards to include the Purple Heart and Infantry Combat Badge. Sergeant Pedro
Verge separated from military service in January 2005. After military separation, Pedro Verge continued his college education and received his B.A. degree in interpersonal communications from the University
of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, in December 2006. In January 2018, Pedro Verge acquired a position with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity as a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist, where he helps Veterans with substantial barriers to achieve their employment goals. To this date, Pedro Verge continues to serve the Veteran community not only in helping them to find employment, but also helping the Veteran achieve self-sufficiency for a better quality of life for them and their families. Pedro Verge’s passion to help the local Veteran community has become his main mission now and in his future.
Amy Baldwin
My name is Amy Baldwin. I was born in Indiana in 1972 and lived there until my parents and younger brother moved to Florida (my Senior year of High School). It was very hard to leave my friends and extended family but I adjusted well. After graduating from Zephyrhills High School, I started college. That is where I met my husband, Jason. We dated for two years and then got married. We moved near Atlanta, GA so Jason could attend college to receive his Pharmacy degree. When Jason finished college, we moved back to Florida. Shortly after, we found out we were pregnant and then found out we were having twins! It was a hard pregnancy but we had two perfectly healthy little boys. I home schooled the boys through 5th grade and then they went to GCA (Gulf Coast Academy) for Middle School. I volunteered at that school all three years they were there. Then, we decided they would go to HCA (Hernando Christian Academy) for High School. I worked at the school while they were students there. After they graduated High School, at top of their class, I left my employment at the school and started working at the Courthouse. I ran all of the Problem Solving Courts, which included Drug Court, Mental Health Court, Veterans’ Court and Youth Court. I learned so much about trauma especially for those who served in the Military to protect our freedom. We raised the boys to be Christ followers. We were members of CCW (Christian Church in the Wildwood) for their entire childhood. When they left for college in Lakeland, they found a church close to their dorm. Jason and I started going to their church in Lakeland but it’s hard to be connected while living so far away. After the pastor at CCW passed away, we started attending CFCC (Christ Family Christian Church) in Homosassa. This is where we still worship. My hobbies include acting, hiking, shopping and spending time with friends and family. I recently left my job at the Courthouse to work at the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) with children who have been severely abused. I pray that we can get the little ones into therapy sooner and maybe they will not turn to destructive behaviors and end up in any of those other court programs. I have worked for several years helping people of all ages work through their trauma. My current role at the CAC has given me the chance to fundraise for our department. I’m really looking forward to being a part of this board! I want to help the Veterans and First Responders and I feel like my work history will allow me to assist with this endeavor.
Shane Walter USN Retired, MPH
I grew up in Florida my entire life. I graduated from Springstead High School in 1992. Joined the US Navyin August 1992 as a hospital corpsman. Retired from US Navy on October 31, 2014. During my 22 yearsof Naval Service, I served at various commands and numerous platforms to included US Marine Corps asa Corpsman for 4years. I worked in numerous hospitals and clinics as well as serving onboard variousships throughout my career. My last half of my career, I served onboard Submarines as an IndependentDuty Corpsman providing care to a submarine crew of 160 Sailors. During my time onboard
submarines, I was able to confer my bachelor & #39;s degree in healthcare management. While on my last tour prior to retirement, I served as the Leading Chief Petty Officer of the medical department at Submarine Squadron Eleven, San Diego, CA. I was promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer. I was able to complete my master’s degree in public health during this tour. Upon retirement, I moved back to
Spring Hill, Florida and worked for Department of Veterans Affairs as a supervisor at various outpatient clinics. After covid, I decided to go back to college and work on obtaining a degree as a Registered
Nurse. I have less than one year left to complete my degree. My primary passion is spending time with family. I enjoy fishing, being on the water, and being outdoors.