Caught in Time

Juan’s sight was saved thanks to a visit aboard the
Healthcare Network’s Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®.

For thousands of children in Collier County, a visit on the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® provides their very first interaction with a doctor. Most of the time, the screenings on this mobile pediatric clinic operated by the Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida, disclose basic health concerns which are easily remediated. But sometimes these visits reveal serious health risks that would have had tragic consequences had they not been discovered in time.

Such is the case of 11-year-old Juan. One year ago, after a vision screening onboard the Care Mobile, Juan’s parents were told he would lose his sight in a matter of months due to an eye injury that had been neglected.

It is not uncommon for underserved families to delay expensive medical treatment, especially when surface injuries appear to heal on their own.

In Juan’s case, extenuating problems not visible above the skin’s surface exacerbated over time and were diagnosed just in the nick of time thanks to the Care Mobile.

Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Program Coordinator Andy Guiterrez keeps the wheels on
the bus rolling to ensure quality healthcare is accessible to all children in Collier County.

Care Mobile personnel took immediate action, working with Juan’s school nurse and the staff and physicians of Healthcare Network, who, after five months of teamwork, were able to get him the surgeries he needed to save his vision.

In partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities of SWFL and the Naples Children and Education Foundation, Healthcare Network takes its “rolling pediatric clinic” to schools, community centers and neighborhoods to deliver dental care and medical screenings to thousands of underserved children.

Since its inception in 2004, more than 17,000 children have received services and gained access to continuing dental and medical care aboard the Care Mobile, one of the Healthcare Network’s 13 clinics that serve nearly half the children in Collier County.

Today Juan is looking forward to a bright future and many more hours of riding his bike thanks to the knowledgeable, caring staff aboard the Care Mobile.

You can help ensure the Care Mobile is there for children like Juan by supporting the 8th Annual Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® Classic, 11:30 a.m., Thursday, April 10, 2014, at Quail West Golf Club. Ticket includes box lunch, 18 holes of golf, cart, green fees, range balls, awards reception and prime rib dinner. Call 239.658.3113239.658.3113 for information on tickets or sponsorship opportunities. Information about Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida, its office locations and services, can be found at www.healthcareswfl.org.

The Healthcare Network’s Ronald McDonald
Care Mobile will celebrate its
8th Annual Golf Tournament
Thursday, April 10, 2014, at Quail West.
Call 239.658.3113239.658.3113 for information on tickets or
sponsorship opportunities. Information about Healthcare
Network of Southwest Florida, its office locations and
services, can be found at www.healthcareswfl.org.