Our Board of Directors
Dr. Kim Dal Porto grew up in Jacksonville, FL and has been practicing as a board-certified pediatrician for Carithers Pediatrics for 22 years. She has two adult children in medical school and four adult step-sons. While she finds great joy and fulfillment in her career and family, she will tell you her first love is Christ. She is involved in her church, Eleven22, as well as global missions. She worked with a small team of doctors to launch a permanent primary care medical clinic in Uganda, associated with Okoa Refuge in 2016. She actively advises and administrates the clinic, run by Ugandans, and hopes to facilitate the introduction of maternity and malnourishment care. She was privileged to join the Board of Charis Eating Disorder Care in 2020, having a heart and love for those who struggle with eating disorders. She has been involved with the outpatient medical management of eating disorders and is part of the professional medical community surrounding their support.
Mrs. Jamie Dees lives in Fernandina Beach where she stays busy caring for her family, which includes her three young children and her husband, James. As an active member in the community, she serves in the children’s ministry of her local church and at her children’s school. After triumphantly overcoming anorexia in her adolescent years, Jamie developed a desire to bring hope to those struggling with eating disorders. She was introduced to Charis Eating Disorder Care shortly after moving to Fernandina Beach and knew that this was a ministry that she was called to serve in. She is in awe of how God has continuously worked miracles through Bring Your Brokenness, and she is excited to see how He will continue to provide recovery through this incredible ministry. It is an honor for her to serve on the Board for Charis Eating Disorder Care.
Dr. Suellen Rodeffer Garner is a native of Fernandina Beach. She returned there after her education at Emory University to establish her orthodontic practice over 30 years ago. She has a large, extended family that includes four daughters and eight grandchildren. Her community service includes board memberships in banking, education foundations and community organizations. Suellen’s goal is to let her light shine before men that they will see her good works and glorify the Father who is in heaven. She is honored to serve on the Charis Eating Disorder Care and is excited to see God move in a mighty way and prove He loves us and wants to lead us to an abundant life.
Heather M. Houseal is an Elder Law attorney with Carver Adams, P.A., and has a background in social work and working with international non-profit organizations serving abused children. Heather is a compassionate advocate who is skilled in working with clients in difficult and traumatic situations. In these positions, Heather has honed her ability to understand legal issues, articulate legal strategies, and compassionately guide clients through legal processes and now applies these skills to the practice of Elder Law. Heather served as an officer in the United States Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps, where she prosecuted sexual offenses, represented victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse, and represented ill, injured, and wounded warriors. With the exception of her military service, Heather is a lifelong Nassau County resident and resides with her husband Tom, who stays at home raising their three small children in Fernandina Beach.
Mrs. Allison Johns has served the local church for over two decades. Through worship ministry, women’s ministry, and student ministry, she lives out God’s call on her life to train, mentor, teach, and make disciples. Her vocational work has included leading both worship and women’s ministries, while using her creative gifts of writing and singing to partner with ministries and events outside of local church services. She is married to Shane, who is a pastor and counselor, and she loves serving in ministry alongside him. They live in Fernandina Beach, Florida, with their four kids. Allison had the privilege of walking through some dark valleys alongside Amie as she pursued eating disorder recovery. As her understanding grew, her compassion did as well, and it’s her great honor to serve on the board of Charis Eating Disorder Care. She believes that recovery is possible for every single person because of the hope and overcoming power we all have in Christ.
Dr. Shane Johns graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2002 with a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Counseling. The church where he served as a student pastor became his primary counseling platform. Following 13 years of youth ministry in Texas, he served as a high school pastor in Florida for 9 years, continuing to counsel students, parents, and families through the ministry of the church. He recently earned a Doctor of Ministry through Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Because of his background in student ministry, Shane is uniquely gifted at helping children, adolescents, and parents through challenging situations. His experience also enables him to be a valuable asset as part of a comprehensive treatment team for eating disorders. With two decades of counseling experience, he is well-equipped to come alongside clients with a wide variety of needs and goals.
Mrs. Amie Shields lives in Fernandina Beach, Florida, with her husband and four children. She graduated from Liberty University with a BS in Multi-Disciplinary Studies (Education and Psychology) and a M.Ed in Teaching and Learning. Amie enjoyed teaching in private and public schools and served for nearly ten years in full time ministry as an Early Education Administrator and later as Executive Director of Worship. She is a certified life coach and biblical counselor. As a survivor of anorexia nervosa, Amie is passionate about the work of recovery. She founded the nonprofit organization, Bring Your Brokenness, in 2018 to help spread the message that there is always hope when we look to Jesus. It is her joy to lead this organization and walk with others in eating disorder recovery.
Mr. Kevin Shields graduated from the University of North Florida with a degree in Construction Management. He is a licensed general contractor who specializes in business development for a local construction company. Walking the road of anorexia recovery alongside his wife, Amie, has given him a unique perspective of the struggle. He considers it a privilege to serve with his wife through this organization and finds joy in encouraging other husbands whose wives are still struggling.
Mr. Travis Stewart has mentored others since 1992 and became a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2005. He first began working with eating disorders as a therapist at the renowned treatment center Remuda Ranch in 2003. Since then, he has worked in the field of eating disorders as a clinician, recovery coach, and marketing professional at every level of care.
Travis was the visionary for the Hungry for Hope Conference, a faith-based conference, and served on the board of FINDINGbalance. He has spoken nationally and internationally on the topic of eating disorders, mental health, and faith. He is also the creator of ReflectivePrayer.com and URGE911.com.
Travis graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1991 with a degree in advertising and worked with the campus ministry of The Navigators. He later earned a Master of Arts in Counseling (2001) and a Master of Arts in Theological Studies (2003) from Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, MO, where he is currently the Director of Development and a guest lecturer in the counseling department. Travis is married to Susan and has two adult children, a son-in-law and a grandson.
Mr. Carey Jones graduated from The University of Florida College of Pharmacy and returned to his hometown of Jesup, GA following 5 years at Winter Park Hospital. Through the years his family often vacationed on Amelia Island which they came to love. In 2021 they became Fernandina Beach residents. He and his wife maintain a home in Jesup, GA where he spent over 30 years as a Pharmacist and entrepreneur. He has served on boards of non-profit and for-profit entities and hopes to share his business knowledge as a director for Bring Your Brokenness. He strongly believes we as Christians are to serve others with any gifts or abilities God has given us. For this reason, he is excited to be a part of this vibrant and much needed ministry.