Meet Your 2026-2028 Board of Directors Nominees
Posted 1 day ago by Ana Paula Harwood
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. 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 experience was in the GI dept and the JMH ER where she gained experience in the acute care setting. In 2015 she accepted a position at Borinquen Medical Centers, a community-based FQHC, for Internal Medicine. She enjoys Internal Medicine because she is able to see the progress of her patients and to assist a low-resourced population.
She's an active participant in the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) on the local, state, and national level. She was the Florida ENA State Treasurer from 2020 - 2021 and Florida ENA State Treasurer from 2022 - 2023. She was an integral part of the team that was awarded the State ENA Award for 2023. On the local level she's presently the Dade - Broward ENA Chapter Treasurer; an organization that has maintained a membership greater than 200 members during her years.
In addition, she gives back to her community as a volunteer at the Miami Rescue Mission. Her inclination has always been to assist those in need. She has shown a commitment to caring with humility and humanitarianism throughout her career.
She truly believes she can be an asset to the NP Council of Miami-Dade in the Membership Director Position. Her goals are to increase membership and energize the current membership. She knows it takes a dedicated and motivated person to accomplish this goal, and she believes she has the skills necessary to be successful.
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.