DR. TONI MOODY, M.D. 2009 Champions for Children Recipient
Accomplished doctor, advocate for public health and community leader, Dr. Toni Moody, M.D., currently runs her general pediatrics practice in her hometown of Orlando, Florida. Serving those who are most in need of medical care, from sick children, to the homeless and medical uninsured, she is often called upon for her health and wellness expertise and is well-known for her community leadership.

In 2003, Dr. Moody founded Health Masters Club (HMC), a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring children’s well-being. She currently serves as the Executive Director of HMC and Medical Director of its signature program, Health Masters Camp, a summer camp that educates children about smart eating habits and encourages active, healthy lifestyles for youth at-risk of obesity. In addition, she works directly with local schools through HMC in several key ways. Step Up to School Wellness-Take the Team Nutrition Challenge is HMC’s school-based initiative which encompasses 30 schools in Orange County and state-wide with the goal of improving children’s lifelong eating and physical activity habits. Dr. Moody is also a National School Nutrition Association Certified Healthy Edge Trainer and works with school districts to develop nutritional plans for students by directly training school food service staff.

As part of Dr. Moody’s holistic approach to community health and safety, HMC linked the Safe Routes to School Program to the Team Nutrition Challenge for schools and teaches bike, pedestrian, and traffic safety while encouraging youth to bike and walk to school. Through her leadership in bike/pedestrian safety, she serves on the Orange County Pedestrian Safety Committee as part of Mayor Crotty’s Pedestrian Safety Initiative which includes county and city Traffic Engineers and Planners.

Dr. Moody’s unique approach to health and safety has catapulted her to the statewide and national spotlight; she is affecting change through key appointments which include the Florida Department of Children and Families Advisory Committee on Economic Security (DCF ACES) where she serves as Subcommittee Chairperson for Multi-Benefit Platform and the Links Commission on Childhood Obesity Prevention. She is also committed to preventing obesity-related illnesses. In 2007 she launched a TV production, Breast Health for Divas, geared around breast health awareness and cancer prevention by advocating changing the ACS protocol to teach breast self-exam at age ten as part of her Healthy Breasts 2020 Initiative.

Dr. Moody’s passion for community health has resulted in the creation of community-based programs to address unmet needs. When many of the local food stamp offices closed, she piloted a “mobile education station” for food stamp outreach through Health Masters Club with USDA funding. Her commitment to child safety and health has spurred the facilitation of parenting classes through Orange County Head Start.

Through speaking engagements and public health awareness, Dr. Moody has motivated policy-makers, health professionals, community organizations and individuals to empower their lives and put their health first. She has addressed groups as distinct as the Florida School Nutrition Association, Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Home Builders Institute Project CRAFT and National Black Child Defense Institute. Dr. Moody received her Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry at Howard University, attended the University of Florida’s College of Medicine and graduated with her Doctor of Medicine Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. She received her Pediatrics training at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

She is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Florida State University (FSU) College of Medicine and also serves as Volunteer Faculty for the University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Medicine. Her numerous awards include: Orlando Magic Maker, Orange County Health Department Public Health Hero, Orange County District 2 Citizen of the Year, Central FL Healthcare Coalition Community Service, Leadership Florida Lawton Chiles Scholarship, and the Central Florida Women’s Resource Center Summit Award.