The Sister Veronica Fund, A Lifeline to Better Health

by Abigail Jose, Marketing Manager

The high cost of healthcare has been a major concern for many Americans. Too often, the most vulnerable in our community are forced to choose between getting the care they desperately need or covering basic necessities like food and rent. When individuals struggle to access medical care, the effects ripple through the entire community, leading to higher rates of illness, lost productivity, and increased healthcare costs for everyone.

According to a West Health Gallup 2024 survey, an estimated 72.2 million Americans have not sought treatment for needed care in the last three months due to the cost. The same survey found that an estimated 40 million adults consider the cost of healthcare to be a “major burden” to their household.

“When I don’t have money, it’s hard for me to seek care,” admits Juana, a local Immokalee woman and Healthcare Network patient. “Sometimes I wait until I have the money to afford care. If not, I postpone my appointment until I can gather enough. If I don’t have the money, I don’t go to the doctor.”

In Collier County, there are a limited number of social safety nets that address this crisis. As the only Community Health Center in the county, Healthcare Network remains steadfast in its mission to provide quality, accessible healthcare for all. A cornerstone of this commitment is ensuring that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay or lack of financial resources.

Ensuring access to care strengthens not just individual health, but the well-being of our entire community. When people are healthy, families flourish, businesses thrive, and society as a whole benefit.

At Healthcare Network, low-income, eligible patients qualify for discounted services through a sliding fee scale. When patients are unable to afford the cost of care, even at a discount, or require continued specialized care outside of Healthcare Network, the organization’s Sister Veronica Fund covers the high cost for follow-up specialist appointments, prescription medications, transportation and more.

This fund is named after Sister Veronica Marie Cohen, a devoted Catholic nun, who dedicated her life to serving the Immokalee community through the East Coast Migrant Head Start Project until her passing in 1989. Since 2019, the fund has helped over 2,060 individuals, covering over $130,000 in medical expenses.

For patients like Juana who face serious financial barriers, the fund is essential for her health. She shares, “There are times I don’t have money, so Healthcare Network helps me reduce the price of medication. Sometimes I pay very little for a two-month supply that makes it worth it for me.”

Juana is not alone in this struggle, Ofelia, a 56-year-old farmworker, has been receiving care at Healthcare Network for over 30 years.

“Working in the fields, my paychecks didn’t always cover medical costs.” Since utilizing the sliding fee scale and Sister Veronica Fund, Ofelia has been able to get her medication, receive regular blood drawings and visit with her primary care provider without worrying about how much of her paycheck will go towards her medical costs.

“Healthcare Network has helped me with laboratory tests, consultations and even mammograms,” she says. “They also give me a great discount on medications, which makes a huge difference.”

Programs like the Sister Veronica Fund and sliding fee scale are critical for Ofelia. She shares, “Without them, I don’t think I would seek care.”

Healthcare should never be out of reach for those who need it most. Too often people in our community are forced to delay or forgo essential healthcare. The Sister Veronica Fund ensures that no one has to make that choice.

Be part of Sister Veronica’s legacy and learn how you can support this important program at Healthcare Network by visiting https://healthcareswfl.org/sister-veronica-fund/

To learn more about supporting the Van Domelen Community Health Center, contact Antonello Castaldi at acastaldi@healthcareswfl.org or visit HealthcareSWFL.org

About the Author

As Healthcare Network’s Marketing Manager, Abigail Jose utilizes compelling storytelling and strategic marketing to raise awareness of the organization’s mission of providing quality healthcare to all. Her work helps bridge the gap between Healthcare Network’s services and the communities it serves.