Celebrating 10 years, Neighborhood Health Clinic is a winner at half a score

If 20 years is one score, then a half score is 10 — and that's how many years ago the Neighborhood Health Clinic was founded. So we're celebrating our 10th anniversary throughout the New Year. Our first 10 years are in many ways a reflection of how our community has met the challenges of the new century.

One crucial issue of major concern to all of us is health care for a growing population of uninsured men and women. This segment of our community has been the focus of the clinic since it opened on April 12, 1999. At that time, there were an estimated 35,000 uninsured working adults in Collier County. We assumed when they heard about the clinic they would find us. They did.

We set up in a small, three-room office in the old Grand Central Station in space donated by NCH Healthcare System. On the first day, our all-volunteer staff — three physicians, three nurses and three non-medical workers — waited expectantly for patients to arrive, having no idea of how many would come or what their medical issues might be.

Eight came. The first was David, who suffered with a dropped foot from postpolio syndrome as well as diabetes. Another was found to have a malignant skin growth and diabetes. The other six patients had much more serious medical problems, all of which required immediate attention and ongoing treatment. This was beyond our initial expectations.

The concept of an all-volunteer clinic that would depend entirely on the generosity of the people of this community for financial support was challenging, risky

— and a leap of faith. We planned to operate without government financial support, so fundraising was and continues to be an everpresent priority. Today we estimate there are 50,000 uninsured working men and women in Collier County. In our first 10 years, half a score,

we have seen more than 10,000 patients at a "cost" of more than $20 million in donated services. These have been challenging, exhausting, demanding and immensely rewarding years, especially for our patients.

 

The clinic is the story of a vision that became reality and it's also the story of our community where dreams are realized every day. It is the medical home of the working poor where lives are saved every day.

This is only the beginning of our half a score story. There is more to come.

Nina Gray is CEO of the Neighborhood Health Clinic at 12 0 Goodlette Road N., Naples. For information about the clinic's services and hour s of oper ation, call 261-6600 or visit www.neighborhoodhealthclinic.org.