COLLIER COUNTY

Collier County Health Department

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The Collier County Health Department is fortunate in its volunteers. These wonderful folks contribute to the welfare of the community in a variety of ways through their service in the health department. Medical professionals volunteer with health department staff to give immunizations to children, flu shots to the elderly, disaster assistance, and in many other ways. Non-professional volunteers are active in clerical work and health promotion efforts (including teenagers working to help other teenagers avoid tobacco). In the state’s last fiscal year (97/98), five groups and 72 individuals donated professional and non-professional services to health department clients.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Collier County Health Department, please contact Jane Costa at (941) 774-8204.

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Jane Costa with two long-time volunteers, Prue Hultzen and Ruth Moran, who helped organize the health department’s library and assist in a variety of other areas. Prue, a former teacher, and Ruth, a retired nurse, have each received "Volunteer of the Year" awards for their invaluable assistance to the community through the health department.

The Collier County Health Department also partners with two community organizations: Senior Friendship Center and Neighborhood Health Clinic. These non-profit health care agencies are on the health department’s table of organization; the health department oversees the care given by volunteers and provides them with sovereign immunity protection.

Senior Friendship Center

The Senior Friendship Center is located in the heart of Old Naples, bordered by City Hall and Cambier Park. It has several examination rooms, including two that are fully equipped for dental and ophthalmic care. Other specialty services provided by Senior Friendship Center include dermatology, orthopedics, gynecology, and psychiatry.
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Alfred Maglio, D.D.S., prior to seeing his first patient of the day.

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The non-profit organization began treating patients age 55 and older in 1985; with its recent lowering of the age limit to 50, there has been a great increase in the number of patients seen, especially for dental services. The clinic is staffed by retired professionals with limited licenses. Dorothea Campbell, R.N., who manages the clinic, states that "The local surgeons accept our referrals. I have a good network, but we can always use more."

Ms. Campbell joined the agency during construction of the facility. She reports "The doctors are all nice. Well, all volunteers are nice. They’re good people and I love working with them."



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If you would like more information about volunteering at Naples’ Senior Friendship Center, please contact Dorothea Campbell, R.N. at (941) 263-7425.

Neighborhood Health Clinic

The directions on Neighborhood Health Clinic’s web page say to look where people are smiling. They have a lot to smile about at NHC, where the motto is that no patient leaves the clinic without a smile and a touch (aside from the clinical examination and treatment). Uninsured, low income, working patients receive complete health care, including access to radiology, laboratory tests, hospital services and medications in addition to a complete spectrum of medical specialty services and primary care, all for the price of one hour’s wages.

William Lascheid, M.D., founder, board member, and clinic volunteer.

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Sometimes it seems as though the smiles on the volunteers’ faces are even bigger than on the patients’. They get a tremendous boost from the knowledge they are making a difference in people’s lives, the gratitude that is expressed, and the camaraderie and growing friendships among themselves. A primary care volunteer gleefully talks of treating patients with problems that are different from those in his own practice. He says working in the clinic is fun.

In addition to everything else at the Neighborhood Health Clinic, volunteers may earn continuing education credits through programs provided through the clinic. Much of this is accomplished by Nancy Lascheid R.N., one of the founders, a tireless worker, and a board member of the clinic.

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The Neighborhood Health Clinic opened its doors in April, 1999 with one paid staff member, Merlyn Comeriato, who coordinates the operation. All other services are provided by volunteers, including doctors, nurses, social workers, clerical workers, pharmacy technicians, transcriptionists and fund-raisers. Other volunteers painted and decorated the clinic, which is completely furnished and equipped with donations.

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If you are interested in becoming a volunteer and/or donor for the Neighborhood Health Clinic, please contact Merlyn Comeriato at (941) 261-6600 or e-mail the clinic at neighborhood384@hotmail.com.