DR. BARBARA SHARIEF

Biography of Dr. Barbara M. Sharief, M.S.N., A.P.R.N., D.N.P.

Broward County Commissioner

Commission District 8, located in Southern Broward County

Dr. Barbara Sharief is a public servant, entrepreneur, author, certified healthcare professional and gun safety advocate.

Born and raised in South Florida, Dr. Sharief loves to serve her community, speak up for those who don’t have a voice, and is passionate about leading Florida into the future.

At a young age, Sharief lost her father to gun violence. A small business owner who was well known in his community for helping those in need, he was shot and killed by a teenage robber. To help her family cover expenses, then 14 year old Barbara went to work. This experience and her father’s example instilled in her a strong work ethic and a drive to help others any way she could. 

In this spirit, she chose to go into the field of nursing after graduating high school. Now a certified medical professional with 25+ years of medical experience, Sharief holds multiple degrees in Nursing, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). She is also a certified Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (APRN). In 2001, she founded South Florida Pediatric Homecare, Inc., South Florida’s premier homecare agency for children and adults with medically complex needs.

In 2009, after active involvement in her community as a business owner and parent, Dr. Barbara Sharief was spurred on to do something more. She ran and was elected to the Miramar City Commission. She later became Miramar’s Vice Mayor and was elected to the Broward County Commission representing District 8. In 2014, she broke barriers when she was appointed as the first African-American Mayor of Broward County, and was honored to be re-appointed in 2016. She was also the first black female President of the Florida Association of Counties, where she advocated for all 67 counties in Florida.

During her tenure as Broward County Mayor, Barbara Sharief fought for affordable healthcare, mortgage and foreclosure relief, solutions for homelessness, and for entrepreneurial/small business assistance and mentoring programs. In 2017, during her second term, two tragedies struck the people of Broward County. As County Mayor, Dr. Sharief led the response to the horrendous shooting at Ft. Lauderdale International Airport and oversaw the recovery effort after the destruction of Hurricane Irma. As a result, she created a stronger and safer community for years to come.

As the mother of three children, everything Barbara Sharief has done has been aimed at building a better and brighter future for South Floridians. Throughout her years of public service, she has demonstrated this commitment time and time again through initiatives such as generating a projected $130 billion for transportation and infrastructure improvement projects over a 30-year period in Broward County, and leading the passing of the Broward County transportation surtax initiative. She also serves as Chair on the Opioid Lawsuit Task Force, is a member of the Pompano Beach Community Advisory Board, and has been on the Broward Metropolitan Transportation Committee for the last 13 years. 

Dr. Sharief continues to advocate for economic stability through job creation, small business support, affordable healthcare, tourism, neighborhood revitalization, education, and quality care for the elderly, veterans, children, and gun safety regulation. She is one of the featured authors in the August 2021 book, No Glory Without a Story, an inspirational collection of stories and lessons learned by entrepreneurs and leaders in their field about the trials, tribulations, sacrifices, and successes of owning your own business. 

 

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• South Florida Pediatric Homecare, Inc., Founder and CEO, 2001-present (Adult and Pediatric Home Care over 20 years in business)

 

PUBLIC SERVICE

• Broward County Commissioner, 2010-present; Vice Mayor, 2012 and 2015; Mayor, 2013 and 2016
• Miramar City Commissioner, 2009-2010; Vice Mayor 2010
• National Association of Counties (NACo), 2009-Present

• • Health Steering Committee, 2017-2018; 2018-2019; 2019-2020

• • Large Urban County Caucus, Member, 2010 to Present

• • Membership Standing Committee, 2017-2018

• • Medicaid and Indigent Care Subcommittee, Chair, 2016-2017

• • International Economic Development Task Force, 2016-2017
• Florida Association of Counties (FAC), 2009-Present
• • FAC Executive Committee: 

• • • Past President, 2016-2017
    • President, 2015-2016
    • President Elect, 2014-2015
    • 1^st Vice President, 2014
    • Board of Directors, 2013-Current

• • Education: 

• • • 2019-20 ICG Board of Directors 
    • 2020-21 ICG Board of Directors
    • Torchbearer 2018 
    • Torchbearer 2017 
    • Torchbearer 2016 
    • Torchbearer 2015
    • Torchbearer 2014 
    • 2018-19 FCF Board of Directors 
    • 2017-18 FCF Board of Directors
    • Advanced County Commissioner Program (ACC) Alumni
    • Certified County Commissioner Program (CCC) Alumni

• • FAC Board of Directors: 

• • • 2020-21 FAC Board of Directors
    • 2019-20 FAC Board of Directors
    • 2018-19 FAC Board of Directors
    • 2017-18 FAC Board of Directors
    • 2016-17 FAC Board of Directors PE 
    • 2016-17 FAC Board of Directors 
    • 2015-16 FAC Board of Directors 
    • 2014-15 FAC Board of Directors PE
    • 2014-15 FAC Board of Directors 
    • 2013-14 FAC Board of Directors 

• • FAC Enterprise Committee           

• • • 2013-14 

• • FAC Finance & Audit Committee

• • • 2016-17 FAC Finance & Audit Committee 
    • 2015-16 FAC Finance & Audit Committee 
    • 2014-15 FAC Finance & Audit Committee 

• • FAC Legislative Executive Committee

• • • 2017-18 FAC Legislative Executive Committee
    • 2016-17 FAC Legislative Executive Committee PE 
    • 2016-17 FAC Legislative Executive Committee
    • 2015-16 FAC Legislative Executive Committee
    • 2014-15 FAC Legislative Executive Committee 
    • 2013-14 FAC Legislative Executive Committee

• • FAC Policy Committee

• • • 2020-21 COVID-19 Ad Hoc Committee 
    • 2020-21 Federal Committee
    • 2019-20 Federal Committee
    • 2018-19 Federal Committee
    • 2018-19 Urban Caucus
    • 2017-18 Federal Committee
    • 2016-17 Constitution Revision Steering Committee
    • 2012-13 Health & Human Services
    • 2011-12 Health & Human Services

• • Chair

• • • 2016-17 Constitution Revision Steering Committee
    • 2012-13 Health & Human Services

• • Subcommittee Vice Chair – Long Team Care

• • • 2019-20 Health Steering Committee

• • Vice Chair

• • • 2011-12 Health & Human Services
    • 2018-19 Health Steering Committee
    • 2017-18 Health Steering Committee
• Broward County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Board Member, 2009 to Present
• Value Adjustment Board (VAB) of Broward County, Board Member, 2011 to present

• • Chair, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021

 

CURRENT AND FORMER COMMUNITY SERVICE 

• Miramar-Pembroke Pines Chamber of Commerce, Member; Government Affairs Committee, Member
• Minority Women Business Enterprises
• Urban League of Broward County
• Homeless Initiative Partnership, Board Member
• National Democratic County Officials (NDCO), Member
• Caribbean American Democratic Club, Member
• Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Member
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
• Fort Lauderdale (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated

 

PERSONAL

• Native Floridian; Born in Miami Beach
• Three Children: Amanda, Alyssa, and Hailey
• 49 years old

 

As County Commissioner, Barbara has focused on numerous issues including:

• Reducing homelessness
• Prevention of foreclosures
• Small business assistance
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Tourism
• Advocating for affordable healthcare
• Advocating for clean drinking water
• Advocating for Veterans

 

Some of Barbara’s accomplishments include:

• Completion of the Pembroke Road overpass off Miramar Parkway and Pines Boulevard
• Fought for the I-95 Express Bus from Miramar to Miami
• Spearheaded the “Broward Means Business” initiative to increase the number of small businesses
• Spearheaded the free Business Loan Seminar Series to educate potential small business owners about State loan programs that benefit small businesses
• Secured $3 million in funding for the completion of the Miramar Pineland Nature Park
• Worked on the E911 dispatch Consolidated Regional System for faster emergency response times
• Stopped red light camera companies from utilizing county infrastructure to issue tickets to residents
• Used her healthcare experience to save taxpayers $33 million in unfunded mandates

 

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