DIXIE COUNTY

Dixie County is located in North Central Florida. The largest city is Cross City. The population is 13,196. According to the Office of the Governor, the 1997 median household income was $15,933. A majority of the employment is in government, manufacturing, and retail trade. A few of the major employers are the County School Board, Cross City Correctional Institute, and Suwannee Lumber Company.

The Dixie County Health Department is located at 1530 SE 12 Avenue in the charming town of Cross City. The facility is considered the largest and best-equipped health care provider in the county. The Health Department is staffed with a full time internist and pediatrician as well as a complimentary nursing staff. At Dixie County Health Department (DCHD) county residents can receive the following services:

• Primary care
  

• Pediatric care
  

• Immunizations
  

• Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC)
  

• Healthy Start
  

• Limited well woman gynecological care (including a full range of family planning services and maternity care)
  

• In addition, the DCHD provides anonymous or confidential Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/ Acquired Human Immune Syndrome (AIDS) testing and counseling.
  

These services are offered free or on a sliding skill based on documented income. Health Start services and the Women and Infant Care project services are also available. Mothers-to-be deliver their babies at Shands Hospital located in Gainesville.

Dixie County has one of the most comprehensive school health programs in the state. Each school in the county is staffed by a medical professional during regular school hours and any child can be see regardless of financial standing. Family planning services also offered at the school with parental consent.

The Dixie County Health Department recently received the donation of a newer portable health facility that will be permanently set up next to the main structure. The administration has long recognized the need for dental services in the community. By Federal standards, Dixie County is considered a dental service shortage area. Presently there are only two (2) dentists practicing in the county and neither are Medicaid providers. Many of the residents lack access to adequate transportation. The long-term vision for the donated structure is to equip it with at least two quality, donated dental chairs, x-ray machine and all of the necessary associated dental equipment and instruments. After the facility is furnished, the goal is to secure commitments from volunteer dentists who wish to provide limited comprehensive dental care to some of the most needy and under-served children and adults in the state. Scheduling to accomplish this will be arranged at the practitioner's convenience. If you have quality dental equipment you wish to donate or are a dentist interested in making a difference in this community please call Sable Bolling, Administrator at (352) 498-1360. An IRS tax deduction is available for equipment or monetary donations. Sovereign Immunity protection is also available to Florida licensed dentists and other medical or dental professionals.

The American Cancer Society, in partnership with the Volunteer Services Program serves Dixie County with the "Early Diagnostic Initiative". This initiative provides free mammograms and/or sonograms, as well as follow-up medical treatment to indigent, uninsured women identifying a breast abnormality.