SUCCESS STORIES

“I am super thankful for all the kindness I received at the Clinic. Now I bring others here who need help, but have nowhere else to go. My gratitude is overwhelming.”

Luis Garcia is a true Clinic success story, and a prime example of why the Clinic exists.

Luis came to the Clinic at the recommendation of a neighbor, who is also a patient. Luis was suffering from extreme lower back pain radiating down his legs and causing debilitating sciatic nerve inflammation. His job working in shipping and receiving, lifting heavy boxes in and out of trucks all day for a local window manufacturer had become unbearable due to his painful condition. However, with children and a family to support, he could not take time off to rest.

Qualifying as a Clinic patient was the first step toward a happier life for Luis. Diagnosed and assessed by Clinic physician volunteers, he was referred to a specialist as part of his pain management treatment to help alleviate his nerve pain. He was also encouraged to seek a less physically demanding line of work because duties at his current job would continually aggravated his condition. Luis responded well to the care he received at the Clinic.

In addition to how respectfully Clinic staff and volunteers have always treated him, he is most grateful for the time when a volunteer cheerfully agreed to drive him home when his ride failed to show up. Luis is now an ardent patient advocate for the Clinic, even driving friends to the Clinic so they are able to qualify for medical services and improve their lives… as he did.

Now working as an attendant for a prominent golf course in Naples, Luis’ animated smile is even more joyful. Not only has his health improved, but also he enjoys more gainful employment, and has health insurance now.

Sadly, but in a good way, after four years receiving care at the Clinic, Luis no longer qualifies as a Clinic patient. He has graduated to a better station in life, and that is something we can all smile about… Congratulations, Luis!

Jean Tibbs is a former Clinic patient, a sweet and genteel woman, and another Clinic success story.

Jean was in the neighborhood recently, and took the opportunity to stop by the Clinic to say hello. She was asking for “the mom and daughter” (Nancy and Leslie Lascheid), to say thank you to both “for saving her life.”

Jean recalled how the Clinic’s team of volunteers took such good care of her, and that she will “never be able to thank you all enough.” She thinks about it every day, recalling how Leslie took her to the ER one particularly bad day, and afterwards Nancy made her a barley soup. Then being in hospice at one point, she never thought she would recover. However, she says it is because of the hard work of volunteers and the loving care she received at the Clinic that she’s “still here today, living a good life.”

Jean was tearful throughout the entire conversation, but you could tell they were tears of happiness and hope. When we say that our patients give us purpose, this is what we mean… Thank you, Jean.

Neighborhood Bash Party At The Clinic

Following the tradition of the Clinic’s Block Parties from the early days, the Clinic continues to bring together friends and family alike to celebrate Neighbors helping Neighbors at Neighborhood Health Clinic.

Neighborhood Bash ~ Party at the Clinic is our annual, casual evening under the stars where friends of the Clinic gather to enjoy delicious food truck fare, live music, game of chance and a mix of extra surprises every year. In 2022, it was bourbon tasting and axe throwing! A great time was had by all.

Thank you to these businesses who participated in the evening fun!

Carrabbas Italian Grill, Coleman, Hazzard, Taylor, Klaus, Doupé & Diaz, Everblades, Lilly Pullitzer, Natalie’s Skin Solutions, Ronto Group, Suncoast Beverages, The Local, Woodhouse Day Spa, and Whisky Park.

We are grateful to our community partners who made these events possible.

DeAngelis Diamond, Brandon Kirsch MD, Millennium Physician Group, Physicians Regional Healthcare System, Suncoast Beverage, Weldon and Rothman, William Raveis Real Estate, Woodruff Institute for Dermatology, and Life in Naples.

IT WAS A NIGHT TO REMEMBER...

Once again, in March 2023 the Celebration of Hope and Healing was a tremendous success, made even better by family and friends of the Clinic sharing great food, fine wine, and philanthropy! It was truly a celebration among Clinic supporters whose generous gifts to SaveA-Life provided funding for nearly one half of the Clinic's annual operating bud get... followed by dancing together joyfully, knowing that the Clinic will continue to thrive in its mission to deliver quality medical care to low-income, working but uninsured Collier County residents in need. We can't thank our event donors enough. It was truly a night to remember...

Thank you!

Not all gifts can be measured in dollar signs. Gifts to the Clinic come in a variety of forms that benefit our patients and Clinic operations. Thank you for your donation of goods and services that helps us care for our Neighbors in Need.

Individuals

Christopher Beskow

Christine and Thomas Brick DMD

Ellen Brodhun

Marcie and Russ Burland

Linda and John Cardillo

Ann Crews

Gregg W. DeChirico

Gail and Kevin Dolan

Sandy and Bill Fennessy

Jan S. Glowacki MD

Ellen and Tom Graney

Michelle and Jean* Heuschen

Anne Hildebrand

Susan Jones RN and Paul Jones Jr. MD

Catherine Kowal-Montecalvo MD and Raymond Montecalvo MD

Leslie Lascheid and Stephen W. Foss

Nancy* and William P.* Lascheid MD

Keith Maples

Pamela and Pedro* Nolasco

Lynne and David* Nordhoff

William S. Payne

Sue and Philip Regala MD

Stephanie Riley DPT and Van K. Riley DDS

Traci B. and William A. Rollins

Cris and Alan Ryker

Adriana Seczon

MaryAnn and Robert Soja

Kristie and Scott Sopher

Edgar Valdez

Ervin Ware

Karl Wehrheim

Businesses And Organizations

American Heart Association Southwest Florida

AmeriCares Foundation

Arthrex, Inc.

Bayview Dental Arts

Bellasera Resort

Cheffy Passidomo, PA

Collier County Medical Society

Direct Relief

Dispensary of Hope

Floral Design by Heidi

Florida Everblades

Gregory Frame Shop

Hanger Clinic

Harmon's Audio Visual

International Medical Corps

Naples Pathology Associates, PA

Naples Print Source

Naples Zoo

Natalie's Skin Solutions

NCH Healthcare System, Inc.

Network Minds Technology Solutions

Oakes Farms

Project HOPE

RGB Internet Systems, Inc.

Saint Matthew's House, Inc.

Steris Healthcare Group

Sukies Wine Shop

T D Bank

Tiara Dental Laboratory

United Way of Collier County

Unity of Naples

Whiskey Park

The Wine Store

Wistia

Woodhouse Day Spa

Wynn's Market

You've Got It Coming, Inc.