Julio Vallette:
Originally from Chile, my family immigrated to California when I was four years old. The next few years had us moving to Pennsylvania, where we lived for the next five years until we relocated to Caracas, Venezuela. Moving again, we eventually settled in a suburb of St. Louis and I finally called a place my “hometown”.
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in biology I was accepted and graduated from medical school at the University of Missouri School of Medicine. It was during this time that Susan and I married. We subsequently moved to Florida where I completed my pediatric residency training at Tampa General Hospital. We were soon blessed with our eldest son, Daniel. We relocated to Miami where I completed my neonatology fellowship training and welcomed our son Alexander.
Our family moved to Melbourne in 1992 when I began work as a neonatologist at Holmes Regional Medical Center. During my tenure there, I served as neonatology section chief, chairman of the department of pediatrics, and served on several medical staff leadership committees. I officially retired in 2020. I am currently working on a per diem basis as a neonatologist at Advent Health. When not working, I am usually racing, reading, or spending time with our granddaughter Sloane.
My journey in Christ has been one of slow, steady growth. We originally joined Eastminster Presbyterian in 1995. It’s been over the past five years that I experienced a newfound inspiration and need for Christ in my life. This began with my joining a small group Bible study at that time. My interest in becoming an elder stems from the answering of Christ’s call to service. This is especially true at this moment as our church enters a time of transition.