News and Events
Tobacco-Free Partnership of DeSoto County Celebrates a Year of Success
May 16, 2019
It has been a very successful 2018-2019 year in tobacco prevention work here in DeSoto County. We have been extremely busy working to educate and prevent tobacco use and social norms within our community.
On May 15, 2019 SWAT Youth and TFP Members were able to celebrate many accomplishments at our end of the year banquet. In addition to celebrating a year of hard work, a few specific members were acknowledged for their outstanding contribution towards a tobacco free future here in DeSoto County.
Asya Shine was chosen as our 2018-2019 Tobacco Free Partnership Member of the Year. Asya is a long-time resident of Arcadia and serves as the Coalition Coordinator for Drug Free Desoto Coalition. She graduated from DeSoto High School in 2003 and holds a Master of Science degree in Health Services Management. Her passion for helping others and seeing them in a positive light has been her driving force in the field. Asya serves on the Board for DeSoto County Chamber of Commerce and has recently written her first self-help book “Love for God”. Working in the field of substance abuse prevention can be difficult at times. When those times come upon Asya, she simply remembers: The Lord is her Shepherd. |
 (left to right) Jodie DeLoach – Community Health Advocate and Asya Shine – 2018-2019 TFP Member of the Year. |
“It’s been a true pleasure working alongside Asya, being inspired by her passion and educated by her profession”, says Community Health Advocate, Jodie DeLoach. It was an honor to award her as Partnership Member of the Year.
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Our 2018-2019 Most Valuable Partnership Member is Jemima D. Desir. Jemima serves as the Healthcare Education Specialist at the Florida Poison Information Center Tampa covering 16 counties in Central and southwest Florida. Jemima holds a MD/MBA in Healthcare Management. Her notable experience includes working in healthcare for over 20 years nationally and internationally. Bringing healthcare to the underserved has been the chief focus of Jemima’s distinguished career. As part of her dedication to the underserved, Jemima spent several years helping bring healthcare access to remote and rural regions. In her current position, Dr. Desir continuously promotes poison prevention and effective patient management through Grand Rounds, Conferences, Lectures, Health fair events and much more. |
Jemima is an active member of several Regional, Statewide and National Committees. She is fluent in English, French and Haitian Creole. Jemima is an avid reader and loves spending time with her family. She is passionate about nature and enjoys interior decorating. When it comes to the work she does, her favorite quote is: “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.” Mother Teresa
“We are working hard to make our community as safe as possible for all DeSoto County residents, and we are very appreciative of all Jemima has done to help get us to this point”, – Jodie DeLoach. Jemima is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to education and prevention and we are proud to have her serve on our partnership.
On behalf of the Tobacco Free Partnership of DeSoto County, we would like to extend our most sincere appreciation to Asya and Jemima! We deeply appreciate you both for all for your hard work and dedication to making DeSoto County a healthy, positive environment for all.
