- Ama Akoto-Boateng
Choose the health content that’s right for you, and get it delivered right in your inbox.
Rising Up - Patient Care Tech Uses Art to Advance Her Community's Legacy
Sabrina Dessalines sees a beautiful work of art on her way to and from work every day. In fact, it’s located a few blocks from her home in Parramore, the oldest and largest Black neighborhood in Orlando, Florida. Dessalines said that when she looks at the seven-story canvas, she feels a sense of pride and accomplishment.
“It’s a great feeling to be able to look at something and say, ‘I did that!’” said Dessalines, a patient care technician at AdventHealth Orlando. “People in my community tell me the artwork feels like a warm hug.”

Dessalines was one of five artists – all women of color – who painted the “Rising Up” mural, a local partnership between AdventHealth and the Orlando Magic. Currently the largest mural project in Central Florida, it showcases 13 unsung heroes of Parramore’s past who helped the community survive the challenges of segregation and rise up against all odds. When the artwork was officially unveiled in September 2022, Dessalines said meeting the family of the featured professionals and artists was a humbling experience for her.
“People approached me and the other artists to thank us for shining a light on their loved ones,” she said. “That meant a lot to me.”
Her favorite pioneer featured in the mural is Mary Jane Johnson, a midwife who delivered over 1,500 babies and prayed over each child upon birth. Dessalines believes Johnson’s legacy, along with several others, has shaped the community’s identity.
“‘Rising Up’ serves as a reminder of Parramore’s rich history and provides renewed hope and healing,” she said.
Dessalines was new to the community when she heard about the opportunity to showcase its history in this unique way. Under the guidance of her mentor, an independent contractor, she took up the challenge of learning about Parramore’s people and history. The three-month-long process included direct engagements with opinion leaders and a trip to the community’s historical museum.
“Our team aimed to represent various aspects of Parramore’s growth, including education, health care and activism, in the project,” she said. “It took us three extra months to design and paint the mural, and I enjoyed the teamwork and using my unique skill sets.”

Dessalines has been committed to investing time and effort into projects that promote positive Black representation since she was young. She began exploring her creativity at an art gallery next to her school when she was 10. Whenever her mother ran late to pick her up, she would enter the gallery and create pieces with the owner’s permission.
“Every time I went there, the owner would give me some paint to create whatever I wanted,” she said. “I knew I wanted to be an artist, so I just kept doing that.”
Dessalines has painted over 100 art pieces, some of which have taken up to a year to complete. With every stroke she makes with her paintbrush, she said her end goal is to portray themes of beauty, elegance and healthy relationships. She credits her profound care for patients to her attention to detail, a skill she cultivated through her love for art.
“I find fulfillment in creating art and providing compassionate care to patients,” said Dessalines. “Painting is more than just putting a face on a canvas for me. It allows me to depict the positivity that I aspire for myself and that I like to see in others.”
Recent News
Dr. Jason Jennings, orthopedic surgeon with AdventHealth Medical Group Colorado Joint Replacement at Porter, was selected to present his research findings at the 3rd International Consensus Meeting on...
When it comes to back health, how you sleep matters just as much as how you move during the day. According to Dr. Sharad Rajpal, a neurosurgeon at AdventHealth Avista, your nighttime habits can either...
Personal experiences and the desire to give back inspired AdventHealth Avista ICU Manager Megan May to pursue a career in nursing. Her journey began in the very halls of Avista, where as a child she...
July marks Fibroid Awareness Month—a time to spotlight a condition that affects an estimated 26 million women across the United States.
Aimee Keller-Pickford to serve as CEO of AdventHealth Winter Garden; Sheila Rankin to lead AdventHealth Winter Park.
AdventHealth is pleased to announce the appointment of Bela Nand, MD, as the new Regional Chief Medical Officer for the Mid-America Region, effective June 29, 2025.
This expansion reflects AdventHealth’s commitment to delivering more access, more choice and more whole-person care to Western North Carolina.
This national recognition honors nurses who exemplify clinical excellence, compassionate care, and a deep commitment to the healing ministry of Christ.
Dr. Tim Hendrix, chief medical officer at AdventHealth Centra Care, shares simple, smart tips to help you and your family stay healthy and feel whole all summer long.
For Amanda Jackson, ICU Manager at AdventHealth Porter, nursing is more than a profession—it’s a calling shaped by profound personal experiences and a deep-rooted desire to care for others.
Bond Clinic, a physician group comprising more than 90 providers and 28 specialties serving Winter Haven and surrounding communities, joins AdventHealth.
AdventHealth Manchester is proud to recognize a group of exceptional seniors from Clay County High School who have been awarded scholarships in support of their academic and professional aspirations. ...