Healthcare Network of SW Florida announces new Vice President of Philanthropy.

Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida, a nonprofit organization working to ensure primary medical care is accessible to everyone in our community, regardless of ability to pay, announces Dr. Lou Traina has joined the organization as the vice president of philanthropy.

Lou will serve as a key leadership team member managing the foundation’s fundraising and development strategies. He will primarily be responsible for establishing and implementing the infrastructure needed to secure funding through the solicitation of major gifts, endowment funds, gift planning programs, capital campaigns and special events. Lou will also work closely with and support the foundation board of trustees as they take on a more active fundraising role.

Additionally, to strengthen the organization's overall fundraising capacity, Lou will forge existing and new relationships to build Healthcare Network’s visibility, impact, and financial resources. Lou brings tremendous experience and knowledge to the role with more than 26 years in non-profit fundraising. Additionally, for the past 6 years, Lou has been a dedicated supporter of Healthcare Network serving on the board of directors.

Prior to joining Healthcare Network, Lou was the Vice President Emeritus of Institutional Advancement at Florida Southwestern State College. He served in public and private higher education holding senior positions including campus top executive, foundation executive director, and institutional advancement vice president. He led several capital campaigns and was the primary solicitor for the naming of the Suncoast Credit Union Arena, Hodges University, Johnson School of Business, Nichols School of Professional Studies, Fischer School of Technology, Gaynor President’s Chair, and the Frances Pew Hayes Center for Lifelong Learning. Earlier in his career, he was employed as a rehabilitation counselor and staff psychologist.

In these positions, he provided care for mental health, spinal cord trauma, and addiction recovery patients. Since 2001, Lou has chaired doctoral dissertation committees for Nova Southeastern University and has taught organizational leadership classes for the University’s Doctor of Education program studies. He received a Doctor of Education degree from Columbia University –Teachers College and both, a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from Seton Hall University.

About Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida:

The mission of Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida is to provide quality healthcare accessible to everyone in our community, regardless of ability to pay. Founded in 1977 to serve migrant farm workers and their families in Immokalee, Healthcare Network now provides care to more than 51,000 residents of Collier County through 21 practices including the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® and the Health and Smiles Mobile. Healthcare Network provides primary healthcare services including internal medicine, family care, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and senior care as well as dental care and integrated behavioral health for both adults and children. For more information, visit www.HealthcareSWFL.org, or to schedule an appointment, please call 239.658.3000.