Meet
Karen Baez-Wallis
Mother, wife, nurse, and your future Commissioner
Karen came to Miami from Puerto Rico at the age of 5 as a non-English speaking kindergartener. Karen was raised with a strong work ethic seeing her Cuban mother working at FIU, and her grandfather as a carpenter to provide for the family. Her sister and her both moved on to become public servants. Her sister as a teacher for Miami-Dade schools and Karen as a registered nurse working at John Hopkins to Ryder Trauma then advancing until becoming the service line director of nursing for emergency and trauma services at Jackson South Medical Center.
Karen obtained her bachelor’s in health services administration from FIU Biscayne Campus, a registered nursing degree from Miami Dade and her master’s in nursing from West Coast University.
Karen’s own family continues to dedicate themselves to public service. Her husband Bob served as a Naval Officer for 20 years and after retiring as a decorated Naval Aviator is now an Air Rescue pilot for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. Her amazing 20-year-old son Sebastian is a graduate of Christopher Columbus High School, is an Eagle Scout and is currently working on his certifications to be hired by the fire service and follow his fathers’ footsteps. Finally, her young daughter Katherine, and is a member of the South Florida Tropical girl-scouts.
Karen has continuously given back to her community. Serving as cubmaster for her sons’ pack, contributor to the United Way and a member of United Way Women United. Karen additionally has served as a Mentor for Women of Tomorrow which helps at risk young women be inspired, guided and mentored by accomplished professional women. Karen also served as a volunteer for the Children’s Burn Foundation of Florida and found incredible joy in volunteering at their annual burn camp. Karen’s largest contributions was her service as a nurse for the last 26 years. She served as the service line director for emergency and trauma services at Jackson South Medical Center.She was instrumental in the opening and has been the director of Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson South the southernmost trauma center in the United States. She led her teams through patient care during extremely difficult times such as hurricanes, Covid-19 pandemic, providing vaccination and treatment, while she herself was exposed during the early months of the pandemic. Finally, opening a pediatric emergency room at Jackson South to provide emergency care for our most vulnerable populations.
She is running to be your Commissioner. The people’s commissioner elected by the people. Serving with the knowledge, dedication, and integrity that I have exhibited for the past 26 years as a nurse. Caring for our community with common sense solutions based on facts.
I am dedicated to maintaining the substantial relationships that I have established with Police and Fire Departments to provide for the safety and security of the community. This is to support my #1 priority other than quality of life which is community safety. Of which I have an intimate understanding having seen firsthand while running the trauma center and emergency department which serves as the catchment facility for district 8. I will work to collaborate and empower the community councils as they have the pulse on the issues for the communities that they serve.