Inspired by his preacher father’s dedication to serving the community and shaped by his 26 years in the US Army Medical Corps, Col. Brodes H. Hartley Jr. was prepared for his role as president and CEO of Community Health of South Florida, a position he’s held for the past 25 years.

The nonprofit health care organization serves south Miami-Dade County and the Florida Keys boasting a network of seven community health centers and 35 school-based programs that offer primary and behavioral health care services.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Community Health of South Florida employs over 600 workers that served 71,188 patients in 2009, of which 62% were uninsured and 64% had incomes below the federal poverty line.

“We've seen an increase in the number of uninsured people who require service in our community,” Mr. Hartley said. “We're very proud of the ability to be able to address their needs.”

A man of activism, Mr. Hartley led students as student government president of Florida A&M University to initiate the 1956 Tallahassee bus boycott.

Today, he continues his activism working to abolish health care barriers and stressing the importance of preventative medical services.

In an interview with Miami Today reporter Ashley D. Torres, Mr. Hartley discussed the rise in patients as a result of the recession, the positive impact of federal health care reform and the organization’s future plans for a West Kendall access point and a Homestead-based children’s crisis unit.