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Program

Dr. Natalie Regana Valdez
March 8, 1966 – January 16, 2025
"If I Can Help Somebody as I Pass Along, Then My Living Will Not Be in Vain"

Dr. Natalie Regana Valdez, born in Miami, Florida, on March 8, 1966, was the beloved daughter of Sgt. Leroy Edward Valdez and Elizabeth Welch Valdez. God placed her in this world to do something marvelous and worked through her to finish the job. She was a resident of Micanopy (Alachua County, Florida).

Dr. Valdez enjoyed worshipping and fellowshipping with her mother and others at Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Perry, Florida. She and Pastor Barry Young mutually adopted each other as Christian siblings.

Growing up in Miami, Dr. Valdez was educated in the Dade County School System and was a graduate of North Miami Senior High School. She knew what she wanted to have as a career and was determined to achieve it in a timely manner. God gave Natalie the strength, the resources, the determination, the skills, and the energy to do everything He purposed her to do. Obediently, she earned her bachelor's degree at her dream HBCU school, Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia. Afterwards, she matriculated at New York Medical College in Valhalla, New York to earn her medical degree in anesthesiology. Finally, she completed the Anesthesiology Residency Program at UF Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida.

After completing the Residency Program at the UF Shands Hospital, Dr. Valdez was employed for a short while at Malcom Randall Veterans Affairs Medical Center to honor her father who died in commission of his service in the U.S. Air Force. She continued with her employment at North Florida Regional Hospital also in Gainesville, Florida, but her most recent position was at the Ocala (FL) Hospital.

Being able to travel around the world was another one of Dr. Valdez's dreams for her life. She did visit many countries in Africa, the Mother Land with expectations to visit Egypt but the onset of her illness prevented her from doing so.

Dr. Natalie Valdez was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a public service organization based on Christian principles. These college educated women are committed to its Five-Point Programmatic Thrust of economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, as well as political awareness and involvement.

The Lord equipped Dr. Natalie Regana Valdez to do what He would purpose her to do. She used her blessings and gifts for the greater good and returned all the Glory to God, the giver of all things. Now it is her time to rest. Therefore, on Thursday, January 16, 2025, Dr. Natalie Regana Valdez walked in victory and found her rest beyond the river.

The key to immortality is living a life worth remembering. Dr. Natalie Regana Valdez will be missed forever, but those who know the Lord have hope in the promise that they will meet again. Cherishing her life, love and legacy are her loving son: Eugene Brown of Micanopy, FL; her devoted mother: Elizabeth Welch Valdez of Perry, FL; her "village" children: Mickie McIntosh of Gainesville, FL, Marlik Rouse, of Tampa, FL, Megan Rouse of Tampa, FL, Gabrielle McIntosh of Tampa, FL, and Briana Thomas of Gainesville, FL; goddaughter: Zaylen Williams; along with many other sorrowing relatives; sympathetic friends, supportive sorors of DST sorority, caring coworkers, and grateful patients.