The 13th annual Good Health Clinic Kahuna Challenge is underway. This fundraising tradition supports a free health clinic — started by the Keys community for the Keys residents.
Over the next four months, 13 community leaders will champion the clinic’s mission by raising funds and awareness for health care access throughout the Keys. Each contestant is competing for Big Kahuna 2025, which will be awarded during a celebration on Oct. 11 at Founders Park Beach in Islamorada.
This event brings together friends and supporters to honor the contestants and celebrate the life-changing work made possible by their efforts. Tickets to the celebration are included with an annual sponsorship to Good Health Clinic, which may be purchased online or directly from a Kahuna. Sponsorship levels range from $500 to $10,000, with varying levels of recognition and ticket access.
“The Kahuna contest is more than a fundraiser — it’s a powerful reminder of what makes the Keys so special: neighbors lifting each other up,” said Kate Banick, Good Health Clinic executive director. “Every dollar raised stays right here in our community, providing real care to those who need it most. It’s not just inspiring — it’s life-changing.”
Last year, Mary Houston of Houston Insurance Agency was crowned Big Kahuna. With her fellow contestants, they raised over $132,000.
Here are the 2025 contestants:
Clair Hefner, advanced practice registered nurse
Mariners and Fishermen’s hospitals
Hefner has been with Baptist Health South Florida since 2000. She previously served as clinical staff nurse and nurse supervisor at Baptist’s Homestead hospital. She is also a certified diabetes educator who has given her time to Good Health Clinic for many years. Through her work, she has provided support and education to patients living with diabetes, helping them better manage their condition while advancing the clinic’s mission of accessible, quality health care.
“Professionally and personally, I know many people who have benefited from the important services of Good Health Clinic. I am honored to help build a healthier, stronger community — one patient at a time,” she said.
Bernice Dionne and Natalie Shea
Shen Health
Bernice Dionne is a retired first-grade teacher from Monroe County and a 34-year Keys resident. After retiring, she became a certified personal trainer, then went further and added barre fitness and stretch therapy to her credentials and created Beyond the Barre business. Dionne is on the board of the Business and Professional Women and Natalie is on the board of MarrVelous Pet Rescue.
Natalie Shea is an acupuncture physician, first introduced to the Keys by Hurricane Irma. Her specialty is orthopedic acupuncture and helping people move better. She brought her passion for helping others to the island with a goal to build a holistic wellness center.
As fate would have it, Bernice and Natalie met through aches and pains and their bond was formed. Their focus was the health of the whole body, which later included balancing wellness with stretch, acupuncture, massage, IV therapy, vitamin injections, infrared sauna, laser therapy, thermography and biofield tuning.
“When compassionate hearts unite in a place as close-knit as the Keys, healing becomes more than medicine — it becomes a mission of community. We joined the Kahuna challenge because we believe in good health. There is no better cause than one that gives care to those who need it most.”
Loretta Dettmann
Florida Keys Elks Lodge 1872
As a 17-year resident of the Keys, Dettmann has deep roots in the community. She serves as both house committee chairman and trustee at the Florida Keys Elks Lodge, where she also plays a vital role in the scholarship committee. Her commitment to service extends beyond the lodge, as she participates in a variety of local events and charitable initiatives.
“Volunteers don’t necessarily have the time, they just have the heart,” she said.
Christi Franchini and Michelle Pope
Pilates in Paradise
Franchini and Pope are co-owners of Pilates in Paradise, a local gem that has been part of the Keys community for 23 years. Both women have called the Keys home for over two decades, embracing island life and all the beauty and connection it offers.
Franchini’s community involvement includes leadership roles with organizations like Leadership Monroe (Class XVII), Key Largo Rotary,GLEE, American Cancer Society, Florida Keys Children Shelter, Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, EcoWeek and, after she became a mom: Coral Shores football boosters and Rockstar Dance Studio. She shares her life with her husband of nine years, Victor Franchini, her bonus son Vic Franchini, 20, and 9-year-old daughter, Mikayla.
Pope has worked with the Conch Scramble charity golf tournament, Habitat for Humanity, Key Largo Rotary, Coral Shores football boosters and the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce. She is a graduate of Leadership Monroe (Class XXXII), and shares her life with her husband Allan Pope and her son Ryan, who is 24.
Together, Franchini and Pope are more than business owners—they are passionate community members who embody loyalty, warmth, and a deep love for raising their families in the heart of the Florida Keys. Now Michelle and Christi are thrilled to join forces together to raise money and awareness for a pivotal organization for their community, Good Health Clinic.
“We mix high vibes with high standards bringing amazing people together to celebrate talent, build community, and shine a light on important causes.”
Rick Riehl
Riehl Services
Riehl has lived in the Keys a long time — most of his life has been spent on the water, building things and being an active part of this community. His family has owned property along the highway for more than 50 years and he recently built a workforce housing project on a portion of it to help folks who work hard and need a place to live. Riehl, his family and friends have had more than a few good times out on his family property too — hosting gatherings, bringing people together and doing what they can for fellow neighbors when they need help.
The Kahuna challenge is very personal for Riehl. Years ago, when he needed hernia surgery and couldn’t afford the care, Good Health Clinic stepped up and took care of him. Now he is ready to pay it forward.
“When the clinic showed up for me, I knew one day I’d return the favor,” he said.
Christy Hughes and Karin Moerner Cedergren
Coldwell Banker Schmitt Real Estate
Hughes and Cedergren are friends, tennis partners and colleagues in real estate. Originally from Sweden, Cedergren has lived in Islamorada for nearly 15 years and is a proud mom of two Coral Shores High School students. Hughes has called Islamorada home for more than 30 years and has two college-aged kids at the University of Florida. Both are passionate about the community, committed to their work and maybe a little too into tennis.
They’ve teamed up to help raise funds for a cause that means a lot to them—because everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of income or insurance.
“Teaming up for the Kahuna challenge felt like a great fit. We’re really proud to support Good Health Clinic’s work. About a third of Keys residents are uninsured — so a lot of locals are depending on this help.”
Nick Rodriguez
US Foods
Nick Rodriguez, his wife Christi, and his children Henry, 14, and Alex, 8 have called the Upper Keys home for more than 10 years. A longtime restaurant manager, Rodriguez is currently a territory manager for US Foods in Monroe County, from Key West to Key Largo. He has coached and refereed soccer and basketball since 2016. He is the chairman of the Key Largo Wastewater District, vice chairman of the Mark Sorenson Youth Sailing Program and an alumnus of Leadership Monroe’s Class XXIX.
“The greatest wealth is health; it is an honor to be nominated for the Kahuna Challenge and support Good Health Clinic in their mission to provide medical services to those in need,” he said.
Leah Wampler and Dr. Sandy Brito
Everyone Loves a Gentle Dentist
Wampler and Brito are a dentist-dental assistant duo who met the old-fashioned way — over teeth. Both proud Coral Shores High graduates (Class of ’98 and ’04 – they will let you guess who’s who) they teamed up professionally in 2017 and haven’t stopped challenging each other since. They have both been happily married to their high school sweethearts, and between them, they have four kids spaced exactly two years apart (yes, they have mastered chaos — and the carpool schedule).
Their crew is always on the move with sports, and they lead by example. Brito is a two-time ironwoman and Wampler is a CrossFit junkie and she knows just about everyone in the Keys — making them not only a powerhouse team but also deeply connected and family-oriented. They are driven, outgoing and maybe a little too enthusiastic about themed events. They lift each other up, in and out of the office.
They are driven, outgoing, and maybe a little too enthusiastic about themed events. But more importantly, they are a team that lifts each other up, in and out of the office. The Kahuna Challenge is just another excuse for them to support a great cause, have a ridiculous amount of fun, and maybe win a few hearts (and dollars) along the way. Let’s do this – with big smiles and even bigger goals.
“We’ve built our careers on creating healthy smiles and strong relationships — now we’re bringing that same energy to support a great cause. Being the 2025 Kahuna Contestant is just another way we give back, lead with heart, and make our community smile.”
Keith Young
Health care administrator
Young is CEO of the not-for-profit Medical Center at Ocean Reef and its supporting organization, the Ocean Reef Medical Center Foundation. He joined the Medical Center in 2006 as COO, overseeing the facility’s startup and clinical programs. He also serves as chairman of New Hope C.O.R.P.S., a non-profit providing residential and outpatient addiction recovery
Services. Previously, Young developed and managed ambulatory surgical centers in partnership with physicians at Baptist Health South Florida, serving thousands of patients across 10-plus specialties. A U.S. Air Force veteran of Desert Storm, Young served 12 years and received multiple awards.
He holds an A.S. in medical laboratory technology from the Air Force, a B.S. in biochemistry and medical technology from the University of Texas, and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American Society of Clinical Pathology, and the American Medical Technologists.
By joining the Kahuna Challenge, he looks forward to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those in the Florida Keys by supporting Good Health Clinic — giving back to the community, raising awareness for a critical cause, and helping ensure our neighbors in need
receive the care and dignity they deserve.
“I believe everyone deserves access to quality health care, regardless of their income or insurance status. Good Health Clinic plays a vital role as a health care home for the low-income and uninsured residents of the Florida Keys, and I’m passionate about supporting that mission,” he said.
