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Programs Team

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PAULA BLAKE-BECKFORD

Mind Body Medicine Instructor

Paula Blake-Beckford RN, BSN, holds an undergraduate degree at Barry University, Miami Florida, and currently a graduate student at Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she is majoring in Mindfulness Studies. Paula has over 17 years of experience as a Registered Nurse specialized in neonatal nursing and recently has been incorporating her passion for caring into the community at large. Paula completed training at the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Healthcare, and Society and is a certified Center for Mind Body Medicine (CMBM) facilitator. She currently facilitates our Mind Body Skills Groups for adolescents and community and family workshops.

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PIERO FALCI

Mindfulness Instructor

Piero Falci teaches Mindfulness Meditation and Mindful Living and the acclaimed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. He leads Insight Meditation Silent Retreats and organizes Silent Peace Walks. He lives in Florida, USA. He was trained by the teachers at the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and at the Mindfulness Center at Brown University. Piero is also the author of A Better Life in a Better World - Can Mindfulness Save Us From Ourselves? Piero facilitates MBSR courses in our education and community programs. 

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SARAH FLAVIEN

Program and Development Officer

Sarah Flavien is a life coach in the Memorial Healthcare System  whose focus is supporting teens and young adults aging out of the foster care system. Sarah holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work and is currently completing her Masters degree in Social Work. Sarah is a Center for Mind Body Medicine (CMBM) facilitator-in-training and has been practicing Mindfulness for over six years. Sarah is currently supports all of our community programs and facilitates Mind Body Skills Groups for young adults.

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LINDA GRADESS

Mindfulness Instructor

Linda Gradess, M,S., EdM. brings more than 30 years of experience as a teacher, school counselor, mental health practitioner, and certified health and wellness coach.  Linda has completed training as qualified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher, Dr. Amy Saltzman’s Still Quiet Place, a 10-week practicum for K-12 Educators and Allied Professionals; Gina Biegel’s 10-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Teens (MBSR-T) Certificate Training for Professionals, Amy Edelstein’s The Inner Strength Teen Mindfulness Teacher Training, Level I, and the Advanced Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness Course with David Treleaven. Over the past six years Linda has taught MBSR and mindfulness workshops at several adult communities, the School District of Palm Beach County in their Adult Community Education Program and the Hearth, a non-profit organization in Boca Raton. Linda teaches our MBSR for Teens program and supports our community of practice. 

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ELIZABETH VERAS

Bilingual Mind Body Medicine Instructor

Elizabeth is a Certified Center for Mind-Body Medicine  (CMBM) instructor and faculty member who currently facilitates programs and workshops throughout Broward County. As an Ageless Grace Educator, Elizabeth brings brain fitness to various branches of the Broward County Library, assisted living and memory care facilities. She is a Certified Yoga for Youth Educator and is an Advanced Reiki Practitioner. Elizabeth holds degrees from the University of Miami and Nova Southeastern University. She also holds a Certificate in Human Resource Management from Florida Atlantic University. Elizabeth currently facilitates our Mind Body Skills Groups for teens and supports our ongoing community of practice and Spanish programs.

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