Get to know the TMCC Board and Leaders!
Lourdes Varela-Batista
Board Member
Born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Lourdes Varela-Batista grew up with a strong dedication to service, learning, and community. She completed a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico–Mayagüez, where she developed the analytical mindset and problem-solving foundation that continue to guide her work.
Motivated by a passion for helping others heal, she went on to earn a medical degree from New York Medical College. Lourdes then completed residency training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at UT Health San Antonio, gaining extensive experience in neuromuscular medicine, pain, and functional restoration.
After relocating to Florida for advanced fellowship training, she expanded her clinical expertise and embraced the opportunity to serve diverse patient populations. She currently performs comprehensive Compensation & Pension (C&P) examinations for veterans, providing thoughtful, evidence-based evaluations rooted in compassion and attention to detail.
Outside of her professional work, Lourdes enjoys an active and hands-on lifestyle. She loves running, biking, and taking on projects around the house—interests that reflect her energetic drive and appreciation for continuous growth.
Sue Gauthier
Vice Moderator
Sue was born in Montreal, Canada a few decades ago, but was raised in South Florida for 18 years. She then moved to North Florida where she resides in heaven. Sue practiced as a nurse at Shands Teaching Hospital for 38 years in different roles in the Labor & Delivery unity. This is Sue's first Board experience at Trinity MCC!
Nita White
Board Member
Tamara Millay
Treasurer
Tamara was raised in the Midwest, and lived in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1989 through 2012. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from Webster University, and worked in an administrative capacity at several local businesses over the years. She was also active in politics, running for office multiple times and advocating on issues, including anti-war protests. In 2002 Tamara was hired at Washington University School of Medicine, where she worked in the Epidemiology and Prevention Research Group on several research studies, including an HIV prevention intervention for women in the criminal justice system. Tamara moved her family to Gainesville in 2013, after her boss became Founding Chair of the Department of Epidemiology at UF. In 2015 she became active in the Gainesville LGBTQ community as part of the Steering Committee for Alachua TranQuility, a community group for trans folk and their allies that meets monthly at UF’s HealthStreet.
Tamara was raised in several Christian traditions but had not been active in any church for many years prior to relocating to Florida. The warm welcome and loving embrace she and her family experienced upon visiting Trinity MCC in August of 2015 made it a natural spiritual home for her. She became a member in early 2016 and was elected to the Board late that year.
Gisselle Blay
Thrive@Trinity Coordinator
Originally from Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Gisselle was raised in Orlando, FL. She was an active member of the Baptist church as a child and the Seventh Day Adventist church as a young adult. Gisselle graduated from Forest Lake Academy and received her Associates Degree in Business Administration from Valencia Community College. Taking advantage of her love for photography, she worked as a portrait studio manager for 15 years. She was first introduced to MCC by her aunt and attended Joy MCC for several years.
Gisselle moved to Jacksonville, FL in 2006 and continued working in various roles in the portrait photography industry for an additional 14 years. During that time she continued her education at the University of North Florida studying accounting. As an active member of FirstCoast MCC, Gisselle served in a variety of positions including leading the Multi-media team, Volunteer Coordinator, and Social Ministry Leader. She also served on the Board of Directors and was a part of the Pastoral Search Committee. In 2020 she was part of the core team that founded North Florida MCC where she was Lay Delegate and on the Board of Directors.
We are excited to welcome Gisselle as the Thrive@Trinity MCC Coordinator.