Meet Vanessa Bedoya | Founder & CEO of Choice MD

We had the good fortune of connecting with Vanessa Bedoya and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vanessa, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
One thing people outside the healthcare industry often don’t realize is how many nonprofit organizations exist specifically to help individuals navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. Most of us don’t know how to access the right resources until we’re forced to figure it out—often in times of crisis.

I learned this firsthand when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis over 23 years ago. The journey of understanding how to manage my health was overwhelming until I connected with nonprofits that guided me through it. This experience is what drives us at Choice MD. We partner with over 53 nonprofits, from The Children’s Trust to The Alzheimer’s Association, because we believe that simplifying healthcare means connecting people to all the resources they need to thrive. Many don’t realize how crucial these organizations are in bridging the gap between individuals and the support they desperately need.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What sets us apart at Choice MD is our unwavering commitment to our mission. We are deeply dedicated to helping individuals achieve better health outcomes, and lately, we’ve been focusing on addressing the root causes of many health issues—Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Research has shown that ACEs are a leading contributor to serious health problems like diabetes, obesity, mental health disorders, and heart disease.

What excites me most is how we’re shedding light on this critical issue and actively working toward solutions in Miami-Dade County. In collaboration with Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s Blue Ribbon Children’s Commission, Choice MD will be hosting an ACEs Summit November, 2024. This summit will bring together key stakeholders across the community to develop a comprehensive roadmap for addressing ACEs.

This plan has been in the works for over three years, and we’re incredibly honored and grateful for the support and belief that Mayor Levine Cava has shown in our vision. Being able to bring this initiative to a larger platform is something we couldn’t have imagined when we started, and it’s a testament to our dedication to making a real difference in healthcare.”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh, if my best friend were visiting, we’d have a whirlwind week of sun, fun, and a dash of adventure! We’d kick off in the historic St. Augustine, soaking up the rich past and maybe even ghost tales. Then, it’s off to the thrills of Universal or Disney—because who doesn’t love a bit of magic and rollercoaster excitement?

As we head down to Miami, the real exploration begins. We’d dive into the elegant charm of Coral Gables, checking out the Biltmore Hotel and the stunning Venetian Pool. Next up, Coconut Grove, where we’d wander through the lush gardens of Vizcaya and browse the chic boutiques of CocoWalk.

Food-wise, Miami is a treasure trove! We’d savor everything from the eclectic bites at Uptown 66 to the hearty Stew Oxtail at Jamaica Kitchen. And no way we could skip the scrumptious burgers at La Birra Bar in Wynwood or the mouth-watering fried chicken at Red Rooster.

But the grand finale? A trip down to Islamorada! We’d snorkel in crystal-clear waters, feed the tarpon at Robbie’s, and cap it off with the BEST key lime pie at Captain Craig’s. It’s not just a trip; it’s an epic adventure full of tastes, sights, and laughter!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have to give a huge shoutout to my close friends and family. Being a single parent is tough, and living in a city without family nearby can make it feel overwhelming at times. But I’m incredibly fortunate to have built a small village of amazing people who are always there when I need them.

This shoutout is for all of you—the ones who hop on planes to help when my health takes a turn, the ones who never hesitate to pick up my child from school when I’m tied up in a meeting, the ones who show up with meals when someone’s sick, and the ones who encourage me to keep dreaming big. You make the impossible feel possible, and I couldn’t do it without you.

Website: https://ChoiceMD.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/choicemd.miami/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/choicemd/

Twitter: https://x.com/ChoiceMD

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChoiceMD