Meet Your 2025 Board of Directors Nominees

Candidates for NPCMD 2026-2028 Board of Directors.

Please see below the candidates seeking position for the Nurse Practitioner Council of Miami-Dade Board of Directors: President, Membership Director and Secretary. Only Council members will be able to vote.  Election Ballot will be sent Mid of December 

Candidate for President:

Tom Schlepko, DNP, FNP, PMHNP (Incumbent)

Dr. Tom Schlepko is a DNP, FNP, PMHNP, integrative nurse practitioner, and HIV specialist who works at Borinquen Medical Centers where he serves the community of Miami-Dade County. In his practice, he champions the integration of behavioral health and integrative therapies in HIV care. His other role includes being an adjunct professor in an FNP and PMHNP program.  He also has post-graduate training in integrative medicine and completed a leadership fellowship at Duke University.

He serves as the current President for the Nurse Practitioner Council of Miami-Dade County.  He was recently elected as a co-chair of the Florida Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses.  He was also recently selected as the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network 2025 NP of the Year Award.

In the past, he served as a region director for the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network, policy committee co-chair for Integrative Medicine for the Underserved, and a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners’ research committee. He has mentored, implemented a health education & literacy program, and created an exercise program at a homeless center.  Additionally, he has been published and has spoken on a variety of health topics at many state and national conferences.

Candidates for Membership Director

Lissette Gomez-Rios, MSN, APRN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC, OCN, BMTCN, ARRT, RT. (R)(M) 

Lissette Gomez-Rios, MSN, APRN, AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC, OCN, BMTCN, ARRT, RT. (R)(M) has participated in the Oncology Nursing Society as a Board member (Chair of Education and Co-chair of communications), Advocacy for Hills Day in Washington DC from 2019-2024, and ONS member since 2013.  Her medical field journey began in 1997.  Her work experience includes Radiology, Oncology, Stem Cell Transplant, Internal Medicine, Preventive Cardiology, and Functional Medicine.   

Currently she's working at the University of Miami Hospital, Clinics Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (Stem Cell Transplant Unit) and per diem at Baptist Hospital. Her educational background consists of a Master of Science in Nursing Informatics, Post Masters Certifications in Family Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.  She's also Certified in Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant, and Radiology. She's currently working towards her Doctorate in Lifestyle Medicine at Florida State University.  

She's a member of the Nurse Practitioner Council of Miami Dade, American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Oncology Nursing Society, Golden Key Honor Society, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society. She's also been interviewed at Florida International University (50 Anniversary) and the Oncology Nursing Society (49th and 50th Anniversary).

Her passion for continuing education and patients’ quality of life includes participating in educational dinners and Volunteering for patients’ Advocacy.

Marlene Bachrach, MSN, APRN

Marlene Bachrach, MSN, APRN would like to nominate herself for the Position of Director of Membership Nurse Practitioner Council of Miami Dade Inc. She's been a member of the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network since 2017 and an active member of the Nurse Practitioner Council of Miami Dade since 2024. She's been an APRN since 1999; her prior past experience is one year in 1999 in the GI as APRN role then later in 2000 in the JMH ER where her experience grew in the Acute Care and Emergency Room as a Nurse Practitioner.

In 2015 she accepted a position in Borinquen Medical Center for Internal Medicine where her experience as a Nurse Practitioner grew wider and more detailed to the medical care. She enjoyed the Internal Medicine because she was able to see the progress of her patients and be able to assist them when in medical need. Also, she's an active participant in the Emergency Nurse Association (ENA) in the Local, state and National (National - - only once a year as Delegate). She was the Florida ENA State Treasurer - Elected from 2020 - 2021 and Florida ENA State Treasurer from 2022 - 2023. During her Treasurer State position, she was able to bring the FL ENA into State Award for 2023 which this award has not been accomplished since 2000.

In leu of her perseverance and her dedication it was awarded to the Florida State. Since, the FL ENA continues to receive this Award in 2024 and 2025. In the Local level she's presently the Dade -Broward ENA Chapter Treasurer and has been able to maintain membership greater than 200 members during her years.

In addition, she volunteers in the Miami Rescue Mission during the Thanksgiving Day to assist in feeding the Homeless since 1996. Her inclination has always been to help the needed and assist them with their personal needs. Her intentions are to remain humble and maintain her humanitarian hours throughout her career.  She truly believes, she can be an asset in the Membership Director role of the Nurse Practitioner Council of Miami Dade Inc with goals to increase membership and to maintain it. It takes a dedicated and motivated person to maintain this goal, and she believes she's that person.

Candidates for Secretary

Amy Chu, MSN, APRN-BC (Incumbent)

Amy Chu, MSN, APRN-BC, is seeking nomination for the NP Council Secretary position again, because she's dedicated to promoting organization, communication, and collaboration within the council. As a nurse practitioner with strong leadership and administrative skills, she understands the importance of accurate documentation and efficient coordination.

Amy Chui is committed to supporting the council’s mission by maintaining transparency, facilitating timely communication, and contributing to the success of their initiatives. Serving as Secretary would allow her to actively support the professional growth and advocacy efforts of the NP community.

Alda Lopez MSN, APRN.

Alda Lopez MSN, APRN. As an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse specializing in Rheumatology, she's deeply committed to advancing the visibility, professionalism, and collaborative strength of APRNs in South Florida. Over the past several years, she's developed strong organizational and communication skills through her clinical practice and leadership in patient-centered initiatives. She's confident these skills would translate well to the Secretary role—ensuring clear communication, accurate documentation, and a well-coordinated council.

She's passionate about connecting with local APRNs, promoting advocacy, and supporting our community’s ongoing professional growth. It would be an honor to contribute her time and experience to this role.

Lillybet Guilarte, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, MEC, CNE

Dr. Lillybet Guilarte, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, MEC, CNE is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Florida International University, Family Nurse Practitioner at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Dr. Lillybet Guilarte is a dedicated nurse leader, educator, and practitioner committed to advancing the voice of nurses through service, mentorship, and professional excellence. As a Clinical Assistant Professor at FIU’s Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences, she champions student leadership, professional development, and interprofessional collaboration—serving as Chair of the Student-Faculty Liaison Committee and mentor to multiple nursing associations. Clinically, Dr. Guilarte practices at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, where she helped launch the Urgent Care Fast Track Model to enhance patient access and efficiency. Her leadership and service have been recognized with the 2024 Faculty Award, Outstanding Nurse Educator Award Finalist distinction, and the 2025 PETALS Award at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

A strong advocate for collaboration and communication, Dr. Guilarte seeks to bring her organizational experience, transparent leadership style, and commitment to professional unity to the role of Secretary, ensuring effective documentation, engagement, and continuity within the association.