Marcela Jimenez Ramirez

Public Health Leader · Salud Pública · Tampa Bay

Marcela Jimenez Ramirez Health equity, in two languages

MPHCPHCLC

Connecting Kids to Care Program Manager, Family Healthcare Foundation

I help children and families across Hillsborough County get covered and get connected to care, working with schools, providers and community partners in English and Spanish.

Let’s connect See my work
Portrait of Marcela Jimenez Ramirez smiling, wearing a navy blazer and white blouse
Bilingüe · Bilingual

About · Sobre mí

Health doesn’t exist in isolation

I am a bilingual public health professional committed to advancing health equity and improving access to care for children, families and vulnerable communities. My career began in Colombia, where I spent eight years as a nutritionist providing clinical nutrition services, breastfeeding education and health counseling.

Since moving to Tampa, I have worked on community health from many sides: interpreting for families in medical and emergency settings, counseling WIC participants, leading tobacco-free policy work, and coordinating Hillsborough County’s Community Health Assessment with the Florida Department of Health.

Leading a three-county Health & Wellness program at Metropolitan Ministries confirmed what I had seen all along. Access to healthcare, healthy food, transportation, education, housing, employment, health literacy and social support all shape health and quality of life. Today I bring community engagement, strategic partnerships and data-informed decisions together to build impact that lasts.

Barranquilla, CO
2008 – 2016

Clinical nutritionist across inpatient, ICU, NICU and palliative care, plus a private practice.

Tampa, FL
2016 – today

Interpreter, nutrition educator, health educator, and now public health program leader.

What I do · Lo que hago

Four areas of focus

Healthcare access

Connecting children and families to health coverage through Family Resource Centers and school-based outreach.

Community health assessment

MAPP 2.0 facilitation, CHIP priority tracking, and surveys, focus groups and forums that put residents’ voices in the data.

Maternal & child health

WIC nutrition counseling, Florida Healthy Babies, and breastfeeding education as a Certified Lactation Counselor.

Health communication

Social marketing and culturally responsive messaging in English and Spanish, grounded in what communities tell us.

Experience · Experiencia

Where I’ve worked

  1. Jun 2026 – Present
    Current

    Connecting Kids to Care Program Manager

    Family Healthcare Foundation

    Leads countywide initiatives that connect children and families to healthcare coverage and care across Hillsborough County.

    • Oversees coverage assistance delivered through Family Resource Centers and school-based outreach
    • Supervises community-based teams and monitors program performance
    • Builds partnerships with schools, healthcare providers and community organizations
  2. Mar 2025 – Jun 2026

    Director of Health & Wellness

    Metropolitan Ministries

    Led Health & Wellness strategy and operations across the Hillsborough, West Pasco and Pinellas campuses, serving families experiencing housing instability.

    • Integrated healthcare, public health and academic partners into shelter-based services
    • Directed program design, KPI tracking and evaluation for leadership decisions
    • Embedded preventive and maternal-child health supports across residential, case management and early learning teams
  3. Aug 2020 – Feb 2025

    Florida Department of Health

    Hillsborough County · 4 yrs 7 mos
    Community Health Assessment Coordinator (2023–2025). Led MAPP 2.0 implementation and CHIP reporting, convened cross-sector partners, and supported reaccreditation and Florida Healthy Babies.
    Senior Health Educator, Tobacco Prevention (2023). Advanced smoke-free multi-unit housing and tobacco-free public spaces with the Hillsborough Tobacco-Free Partnership.
    Nutrition Educator, WIC (2020–2023). Certified participants, provided individualized nutrition counseling, and delivered breastfeeding education.
  4. May 2023 – Jan 2025

    Breastfeeding Class Instructor

    The Nest of Celebrate Birth

    Taught monthly hands-on classes for expectant families on latch, milk supply and newborn feeding cues.

  5. 2017 – 2022

    Interpreter & Hospital Nutrition Services

    CyraCom · Tampa General Hospital · Language Line Solutions

    Promoted from Spanish interpreter to Interpreter Supervisor at CyraCom, coordinated patient nutrition orders at Tampa General Hospital, and interpreted for 911 and public safety calls.

  6. 2008 – 2016

    Nutritionist

    Hospitals & private practice, Colombia

    Nutritional assessment and care planning across inpatient units, the ED, ICU, NICU and palliative care, with a focus on maternal-child nutrition and breastfeeding counseling.

Speaking · Ponencias

Presentations

  • Homegrown Hillsborough Community Nutrition Summit
    Feeding Tampa Bay · Tampa, FL · Sep 2024
  • FPHA Annual Educational Conference
    Florida Public Health Association · Kissimmee, FL · Jul 2024
  • Translation to Public Health Practice
    USF College of Public Health graduate students · Mar 2024

Giving back · Voluntariado

In the community

  • Advisor, CareerVillage.org
    2017 – Present · Career guidance for students
  • COVID-19 vaccine distribution
    FL Dept. of Health · 2021 · Senior housing in Hillsborough, migrant workers in Polk
  • Meals On Wheels of Tampa
    Delivery driver · 2018 – 2019

Recognition · Reconocimiento

Tampa Hispanic Heritage Leadership Class of 2025

Nominated for the Civic Involvement Award for her work advancing the health, unity and quality of life of Tampa’s Hispanic community.

Education · Formación

Education

  • Master of Public Health, Social Marketing
    University of South Florida · 2024
  • Specialist in Epidemiology
    Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina · 2012
  • B.S. Nutrition & Dietetics
    Universidad del Atlántico · 2008

Credentials · Certificaciones

Certifications

  • Certified in Public Health (CPH)
    National Board of Public Health Examiners · 2024
  • Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
    Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice · 2023
  • Responsible Conduct of Research
    CITI Program, Social & Behavioral · 2022
English / EspañolMAPP 2.0Partnership buildingQualitative researchProgram managementGrant-funded programsSocial marketingCultural competence

Contact · Hablemos

Let’s build healthier communities

I welcome conversations with anyone working on public health, health equity, healthcare access and strong communities.

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