Colombian Latina Healthcare Financial Officer Supports Those In Need
Meet Jacqueline Nunez, 2017 Hispanic Woman of Distinction, Chief Financial Officer, Soma Medical Centers
“As immigrants, we all have come here with the purpose to achieve the so-well-known ‘American Dream.’ It’s sad to know that some people with shining minds have not been given the opportunity to highlight and polish their already-in-them potential for business and self-determination.”
As Jacqueline Nunez often likes to tell the story, she and her husband came to this country from Colombia 26 years ago with nothing more than $200 and a suitcase full of dreams. They didn’t speak the language but they had the willingness to learn, work hard and persevere to build the life they could only imagine.
Today their success can stand as an example for others who strive for a better life for themselves and their families.
Her husband, Rafael, was a physician in Colombia but had to work and study to become licensed here in the States. Together they did whatever was necessary to achieve their goals…and achieve them they did and more.
Since 2000, they have opened ten Soma Medical Centers that serve more than 5,000 patients in Palm Beach County with Jacqueline, in the early years, helping to staff the clinics, work as a medical assistant, do medical billing and pretty much do anything necessary to help get the clinics off the ground.
Today she serves as the clinics’ Chief Financial Officer.
In addition to helping patients locally, their clinics also do outreach through Healing the Children (HTC) by helping to perform free pre-op testing on children around the world. They also have donated a home through the Minuto de Dios (Minute for God) non-profit ministry started by Father Rafael Garcia-Herreros to benefit the under-served.
Through the Soma Medical Centers, they also provide free dental care for their patients on an as-needed basis. Through their Amada for the Elderly initiative that Jacqueline started, they provide seniors with free transportation, beauty salon services, dental care and birthday celebrations at their health clinics.
Not content to simply serve the community for their medical needs, Jacqueline and Rafael also became very active in the multi-level marketing business with Amway products both in the United States and in South America. They are the first Colombians to achieve the esteemed Diamond Level through leadership, sales, teamwork and professionalism.
Jacqueline studied Business Administration at Ceipa University and learned to be a medical assistant at Dover Business College.
Jacqueline and Rafael have been married for 27 years. They have two children, Catalina and Arturo, who enjoy the horse country area of their Wellington home. Her favorite pastimes are reading and jogging and her vacation destination of choice is Dubai.
2017 Hispanic Women of Distinction honorees
At PACE Center for Girls, girl-centered culture celebrates the power and potential of girls. With 19 non-residential centers throughout Florida, they provide a safe environment where middle and high school aged girls can thrive.
The balanced emphasis on academics and social services is combined with a program model to produce an experience that is nationally recognized as one of the most effective programs for helping at-risk girls realize brighter and more productive futures.
The Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation (JJCCF) is a nonprofit public charity founded in 2004 by Sandra Muvdi shortly after the loss of her only child to cancer. Its mission is to provide emergency financial assistance for children fighting cancer to ensure access to basic human necessities. The Foundation also advocates for and raises awareness of childhood cancer.
Presented by Latina Style Magazine, the nation’s leading publication for Latina entrepreneurs, in partnership with Bank of America and AARP, the highly-promoted celebration brings to the forefront the contributions of Hispanic women from South Florida. Co-sponsors include Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Walmart, Latin Business Today and La Poderosa Radio. What the women have in common and is a major part of the judging process, is their American entrepreneurship intertwined with their values and traditions.
“This year was truly a difficult decision for our judges. With more than 50 nominations submitted, selecting 12 became a week-long effort to cast votes for the “crème de la crème” stated, Elaine Vasquez, founder and producer of the annual event. Nominations were solicited from past honorees and community leaders in south Florida.
“We are delighted to continue our long-time partnership with Hispanic Women of Distinction and provide insight and support to the entrepreneurs and community leaders who are making a difference, “said Robert Bard, CEO and Publisher of Latina Style Magazine.
The 2017 Hispanic Women of Distinction are:
GLORIA L. DIAZ-DANIELS –Div Sales Mgr Sales-Pharmacy Walmart – Palm Beach Colombian Born Latina Shines As Mentor and Walmart Sales Exec
ADRIANA FAZZANO FICANO – Chief of Staff, Broward College – Broward County
BLANCA GUERRA -Broward County Schools-Curriculum Sup/Dual Languages –Dade Cuban Latina Excels at Education and Preserving Heritage Languages
KARINA GOMEZ-HERRERA – Pres. CEO Karnna Fashion & Company – Broward: Outstanding Venezuelan Latina Excels as a “Hispanic Fashion Advisor”
Dr IVERIS LUZ MARTINEZ- Assoc Prof. Herbert Werthein College/Medicine FIU-Dade Cuban-American Latina Is a Premier Healthcare Anthropologist
LORENA MASTRARRIGO -Assistant Public Defender, Broward County – Broward Argentinian-American Latina Attorney Helping Hispanic Community
CHRISTINA PEREZ McDOWELL – Founder, Solutions by CPM, LLC – Dade
JACQUELINE NUNEZ – Co-owner, SOMA Medical Centers PA – Palm Beach
Dr. JACQUELINE PENA – Dean Academic Affairs – Miami Dade College – Dade Dominican Bronx Latina Secure Grants to Drive Student Success
MICHELLE MARTINEZ-REYES- CMO, Greenspoon Marder Law Firm – Broward Latina Cuban-American Chief Marketing Officer Is Growing Brands
MARIELLE SOLOGUREN – Vice President. Pierson Grant Public Relations – Broward Latina of Ancestry Cuban-Peruvian Making Waves in PR
RACHEL TOURGEMAN –Community Relations Dir.- Florida National University-Dade Panamanian-American Latina Community Relations Professional Advocates for Victims
LATINA PIONEER of the YEAR:
DAISY EXPOSITO-ULLA – Chairman, CEO of d exposito & Partners, a visionary creative leader in cross-cultural brand building for more than 30 years, Daisy has been recognized by numerous organizations and named as one of the most influential Latinas in the United States.
Daisy joins past Latina Pioneers: Columba Bush, Ileana Ros Lehtinen, Maria San Juan, Caridad Asensio, Joyce Kaufman, Nelly Rubio, Aida Levitan, Maria Elena Torano, Helen Aguirre Ferre, Marielea Villamil and Millie Herrera.
Tickets to the luncheon are $95 per person. Table sponsorships are $1500. The luncheon includes a social hour with complimentary “mojitos”, a business expo, raffles, Latin entertainment, as well as a runway fashion show presented by the Las Olas fashion designer, Zola Keller.
For more information visit www.hispanicwomenofdistinction.com; www.wedoevents.net or by calling (954) 709-1622. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
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