LSFHealthSystems

09/11/2026

We remember, we honor and we stand with those who serve.

On September 11, we remember the lives lost and the families forever changed by unimaginable tragedy where we saw the meaning of service.

At LSF Health Systems, we know that those who show up for others also deserve someone to show up for them. Today and every day, we are proud to support the behavioral health and well-being of first responders and their families.

May we never forget those we lost and never stop supporting those who serve.

09/04/2026

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to bring community leaders, first responders, behavioral health professionals and advocates together for the Marion County Zero Su***de Summit.

Throughout the day, we had honest conversations about su***de prevention, the challenges facing Marion County and the role each of us can play in making sure people receive real help when they need it.

Thank you to everyone who attended and to our speakers and panelists for sharing their time, experiences and expertise. We are also incredibly grateful to our sponsors for supporting this important work.

A special thank you to College of Central Florida Ocala Campus for allowing us to host the Summit in the Harvey R. Klein Conference Center.

We’re grateful to see how many people care deeply about making Marion County a safer, more supportive community. Here are a few of our favorite moments from the Summit.

09/03/2026

So glad to have Capital City Bank Starke partnering with us to bring you Uplift Bradford!!!!

Learn more at https://lsfhealthsystems.org/uplift-bradford/

and learn more about Capital City Bank Starke at https://locations.ccbg.com/fl/starke/capital-city-bank-23.html

09/01/2026

We’re just days away from the Marion Zero Su***de Summit, and we still have some incredible voices to introduce before Sept. 3.

Dr. Kellie O'Dare Wilson, Ph.D. is a nationally recognized researcher and educator focused on mental wellness, su***de prevention and resilience within the public safety community. She serves as research associate professor and deputy executive director of UCF RESTORES-Trauma Therapy Program and is the founder of the 2nd Alarm Project.

Her work is deeply connected to the first responder community, both professionally and personally. With more than $8 million secured to advance research, prevention and statewide initiatives for public safety, she has made it her mission to turn research into practical support for first responders and their families.

Dr. O’Dare understands this work from more than one perspective, and we’re excited to have her voice in the room.

The Marion Zero Su***de Summit is almost here. Get your tickets and join us Sept. 3: https://lsfhealthsystems.org/zero-su***de-marion/

08/27/2026

We’re officially less than a week away from the Marion Zero Su***de Summit! As Sept. 3 gets closer, we have a few more voices from our speaker lineup we’re excited to introduce.

Meet Debra Velez, chief operating officer of the Marion County Hospital District.

Debra brings more than 30 years of experience in public health and human services, with a career focused on strengthening families, expanding access to behavioral health care and building stronger systems of support.

Today, she helps lead strategic investments and initiatives that improve health and wellness across Marion County, including work addressing behavioral health, substance use disorders, domestic violence and prevention.

Debra knows what it takes to turn collaboration into real resources for a community, and we’re excited to have that perspective at the table Sept. 3.

There’s still time to join us. Get your tickets today for the Marion Zero Su***de Summit: https://lsfhealthsystems.org/zero-su***de-marion/

08/26/2026

We’re officially one week away from the LSF Health Systems Zero Su***de Summit in Marion County.

On Sept. 3, we’re bringing together people from across Marion County and beyond who are working every day to prevent su***de, strengthen mental health supports and help people through some of their hardest moments.

Keynote speaker Sgt. Kevin Briggs will share what he learned during more than 20 years patrolling the Golden Gate Bridge, where he helped more than 200 people choose to stay. He’ll be joined by local leaders, first responders, behavioral health professionals and advocates for a full day of conversations worth having.

There’s still time to join us in Ocala. If you haven’t gotten your ticket yet, grab yours today: https://lsfhealthsystems.org/zero-su***de-marion/

08/21/2026

We’re getting closer to our Sept. 3 Zero Su***de Summit in Marion County, and our speaker lineup includes some familiar faces who have spent years serving this community.

Meet City of Ocala - Government Mayor Ben Marciano.

For more than 20 years, Ben has worked to improve the health and well-being of the Ocala community. From his early work in health and fitness to his leadership at the DeLuca YMCA and now as mayor, his career has remained centered on service.

As mayor, Ben has made public safety, mental and physical health, and community engagement key priorities. He is also a strong supporter of local mental health initiatives and organizations serving youth and families throughout Marion County.

We’re looking forward to having Mayor Marciano join us Sept. 3 and bring his local perspective to the conversation around su***de prevention.

Get your tickets today and join us at the Marion Zero Su***de Summit - https://lsfhealthsystems.org/zero-su***de-marion/

08/20/2026

Strong communities are built through connection.

A new Riverbend News article highlights how LSF Health Systems’ Uplift Communities initiative is bringing faith leaders, behavioral health providers and community partners together to help connect people in rural communities with mental health and substance misuse resources.

By meeting people where they are and working through trusted local relationships, we’re helping make support more accessible across North Florida.

Read the full article:

Danny Federico [email protected] In rural communities, people struggling with mental health or substance misuse may not always turn to a doctor or counselor first. Sometimes, they go to their pastor. ​That connection...