CFPHD Governing Committee Bio

Marie-José François, MD, MPH, CHES
Vice Chair

Marie-José François, M.D. immigrated to the United States from Haiti in 1983.  She received her undergraduate degree from College Classique, Port-au-Prince, Haiti;  medical degree from the University of Medicine, Port-au-Prince, Haiti in 1982; and Master’s degree in public health, from Loma Linda University, California in 1996.  She has held numerous positions in professional and health institutions, including the Governor’s Red Ribbon Task Force, Community Planning Council, Area 7 Community Planning Partnership, Closing the Gap and others.  Dr. François has also been recognized by state and national agencies for advocating for funding to address HIV among migrant populations.

Trained in medicine and public health, Dr. François approaches community health issues from both clinical and population health perspectives. This approach is especially significant for understanding and addressing health disparities in medically underserved communities in which she works. 

Because of Dr. François community experience and understanding of health disparities in Haitians and other immigrant families, she conceived the idea of an organization dedicated to addressing health inequities in medically underserved communities of all ethnic backgrounds.  As a result, the Center for Multicultural Wellness and Prevention, Inc. (CMWP), a community-based health non-profit organization in Orlando, Florida, was established in 1995. The mission of CMWP is to enhance the quality of life for diverse and ethnic populations through the provision of health promotion services.  Since its founding, Dr. François has developed a passionate and dedicated multilingual team to conduct health education and outreach to economically marginalized populations in Orange, Seminole, and Osceola Counties.  

To illustrate her passion and commitment to the underserved population, Dr. François works 16 hour days and divides her time among two organizations in a leadership role. She is the Community Relations and Outreach Coordinator at Community Health Centers and the Executive Director of CMWP.  

In addition, Dr. François has been diligent in marshalling efforts for an annual Caribbean Health Fair in Orlando since 2003, attracting thousands of participants and reaching a diverse population with multiple points of health education and screening accesses in a culturally competent manner. 

Dr. François is respected by professionals, staff and residents alike. She encourages and inspires others to excel personally, spiritually and professionally. She constantly reminds her colleagues that their primary purpose is to serve the community and then themselves. She lives by the mantra “give to the world the best, the best will come to you”

Roniece Weaver,  M.S., R.D., L.D. is a founding partner and Executive Director of the Hebni Nutrition Consultants, Inc. (the developer of the original Soul Food Pyramid™--a culturally sensitive food guide pyramid.)  She is Co-Chair of the Cultural Diversity Committee for the Central Florida American Diabetes Association in Orlando, Florida. She also served as a member at the national level of the American Diabetes Association Cultural Diversity Committee, which meets in Washington, DC; and served as a consultant and spokesperson for Equal and currently for Evona Oils. In her current role she is also the author of The New Soul Food Cookbook for People With Diabetes, commissioned by the national office for the American Diabetes Association. Her second book is titled, Slim Down Sister, which is designed to assist women with feeling good and losing weight.  Her last three books, co-authored with her partner and twin sister, titled Month of Meals, Family Style Soul Food, and Heart Healthy Soul Food, were all published by the American Diabetes Association.  
She and her partner are responsible for nutritional analysis, taste testing, and promotion of the books.  In addition, she provides educational seminars to the American Heart Association and media formats in town.

Ms. Weaver is also the President of Roniece Weaver & Associates, Inc. She consults with food corporations, provides educational presentations, and speaks nationally about many nutrition subjects.

Ms. Weaver was awarded her B.S. in Food Science/Human Nutrition from the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.  She continued her studies at the University of Saint Francis where she received her Master of Science in Health Care Administration.  Ms. Weaver has been a guest lecturer at a variety of seminars, and has been seen on public television such as The Today Show, CNN's  On The Menu and Woman’s Today Show,  The Tom Joyner Morning Cruise, St. Louis Black Expo, Ivanhoe Broadcast News and many more media venues. Ms. Weaver serves on the hospital board for Health Central Hospital, the Governing Board of the Orlando Citrus Club, the Community Advisory Council for the American Heart Association, and the Governing Board Director of Central Florida Partnership in Health Disparities.  Her clients include:  Glaxo Smith Kline, Merck, Lilly, and Orange County Public Schools to name a few. She was awarded the Presidents Award by the Auxiliary to the National Medical Association. She is married to Dr. Curtis James Weaver and has three children, Candace and Curtis II and a new foster son, Jerome.