By Morgan C. Mullings 

Saving lives requires more than just schooling and research — it takes empathy, determination and passion.

Legacy South Florida’s Top Healthcare Professionals of 2026 possess the stamina to reach their community in essential ways, while also achieving widespread impact through their work.

From dementia detection to rare diseases and health equity, these honorees are tackling life’s most difficult challenges, all without expecting recognition.

They are showing South Florida just how much of an impact they have made, and how they plan to continue building community through health research, advocacy and action.

Felecia Hart does this by focusing on partnerships in her field. As chief operating officer of Broward Community and Family Health Centers, Hart connects healthcare organizations to the people who most need them. Engaging the community is the heart of her work, and this paves the road to securing access for as many patients as possible. “I firmly believe that we are stronger together than we are alone,” she says.

Hart also understands the value of teamwork in healthcare. “I recognize that leadership is not a solo effort, and our collective success is a reflection of the strength of the team,” she says.

She and her team recently opened a state-of-the-art women’s imaging center, expanding access to vital cancer screenings for those who might otherwise go without them. “It represents our ongoing commitment to increasing access to care and improving health outcomes for the populations we serve,” Hart says.

Broward needs health resources, education and services, and Hart is there to make sure her relationship with the community is strong enough to provide them. “I believe that when you choose healthcare, you choose service, and service should never be void of compassion,” she says.

Despite being recognized as a leader in her field, Hart keeps gratefulness at the center. She approaches work every day, not with the expectation of recognition or reward, “but rather with a genuine passion for serving others,” she says.

Working alongside like-minded partners and expanding her reach both help improve health outcomes for her community.

One major way the honorees build community relationships is through raising awareness. Dr. Stephanie Chrisphonte, a research assistant, professor, and associate director of operations at the University of Miami’s Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, has mastered this work.

“I am really proud to play my part alongside the faculty and staff at our center who are so dedicated to bringing awareness and education about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias to the community,” she said. Chrisphonte is a team player when it comes to advancing equitable approaches to dementia detection and diagnosis, saying her work is part of a much greater collective effort.

And she’s not the only one at the Comprehensive Center for Brain Health making waves. Marcia Walker, ARNP, FNP-BC, is a research nurse practitioner there. Through her clinical research studies, she gathers information on Alzheimer’s and related diseases, and makes recommendations for managing cognition.

When it comes to being honored for her work, “It’s something that I do not take lightly,” she said. “It’s an honor to be part of a platform that celebrates Black excellence.” Whether it’s reviewing labs, blood draws or neurological exams, Walker gathers the information she needs to provide essential recommendations.

It isn’t easy to make an impact, but Dr. Chevone Davis-Raglan, PharmD, sees an opportunity every day. As senior director and thought leader liaison at Eli Lilly, Davis-Raglan has led initiatives across inflammatory bowel disease, neuroscience and rare disease, helping providers get the information they need on his company’s products.

“An option that could be beneficial for a patient might not even be utilized or prescribed by a physician … because they don’t have enough information about it,” he explained. Without his work, it would be harder for patients and providers to make informed decisions on which products to use.

The 2026 Class of Legacy South Florida’s Top Healthcare Professionals still has more to do, and they are ready to take the next step. They approach healthcare from a community standpoint, put progress first and value their teams. Most importantly, they care.