AdventHealth Hosts Breakfast Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.
By Carlos Medley
AdventHealth Altamonte Springs launched its first Martin Luther King, Jr. Day community breakfast. The event brought together more than 150 elected officials, community leaders, activists, public servants, church groups, healthcare workers, humanitarian agencies, educators, and young people. They gathered at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Altamonte Springs, on January 20 to celebrate Dr. King’s life and work. The program’s theme was “Building a Legacy of Opportunity.”
Keynoting the event was Larry Williams, executive director of Simeon Resource and Development Center (SRDC). Started in 2002, SRDC assists people in continuing their education, finding employment, and obtaining medical assistance. Funded with private donations and government grants, SRDC helps 300 to 400 people a year.
Williams told about how the seed of service was planted in him as a child. “I can vividly remember when I was 12 years old, I approached mother as she prepared Sunday dinner. I told her ‘Mom, the world does not revolve around me.’ She nearly fainted after shouting, ‘Praise the Lord.’
“From that day forward, I developed a concern for others, and compassion for individuals in need,” he said. “That compassion grew, in spite of the fact that my family was the poorest of the poor in our community.”
After working in public health for 25 years, Williams remembers when God challenged him to change his life. ”I heard a still, small, voice that asked this question: ‘Are you going to be obedient?’ I said yes.” From that experience Williams started building SRDC. Many naysayers thought him foolish for giving up a stable government job. But today SRDC has a 22-year track record—changing the lives of 10,000 people. He challenged the audience to consider how they might impact others in 2025. His formula: Think big. Start small. Act now.
After Williams’ speech Jeff Villanueva, AdventHealth Altamonte Springs CEO, presented Dr. Ann A. Ashley-Gilbert with an award for her outstanding service in Central Florida. Ashley-Gilbert, an obstetrics and gynecologist, has served central Florida for nearly 50 years. As an officer in the U.S. Public Health Service, Ashley-Gilbert provided obstetrical and gynecologic care for migrant women. In 1987 she was the first African American doctor to deliver a baby at Florida Hospital Altamonte (now AdventHealth Altamonte).
Ashley-Gilbert has published numerous articles in various journals and was a recipient of the Alfred R. Bookhardt Orange County Health Equity Award. In accepting the award Ashley-Gilbert said she was deeply moved by the honor.
After the program Bob O’Malley, an Altamonte Springs City commissioner, offered his reflection. “This was a great gathering. I’m pleased to be part of this crowd to honor the legacy to Dr. King. When you look at the size and diversity of the of the crowd, the faith groups and organizations represented, it’s inspiring.”
“This event is an opportunity to inform black churches about the many helping-ministries available for people in need,” says Dr. Dion Henry, Pastor of the Altamonte Springs Seventh-day Adventist Church, who chaired program steering committee. “Too often our black churches don’t know about these services.”
The prayer breakfast was the first event conducted by the hospital’s Faith Care Network, a group of Christian-based nonprofit organizations and local worship centers that serve people in need. Through its network partners, the hospital’s mission and ministry office helps people who need health care, spiritual guidance, health education, and a wide array of community services, such as housing, job assistance, and financial counseling.
The idea for a breakfast started with AdventHealth’s mission of extending the human ministry of Christ, Villanueva said. “We have a desire, a passion, to connect with faith leaders, business leaders, and various worship centers. Our goal is to bring everyone together so that we can share and collaborate on how we can help our community heal in moments that need healing, and how we can make our community healthy, spiritually, mentally, and physically. I hope this becomes an annual event.”
