Page 32 - Life In Naples Magazine December 2014 Edition
P. 32
collaborating to improve care
harnesses the
Power of Partnerships
for its patients ANDREW WHITEHURST WITH MOM MELISSA
by Steve Wheeler collaborative efforts Healthcare Network shares with
S ince 1977, Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida has organizations and institutions such as Florida State University
grown from two small trailers in Immokalee into a $35 College of Medicine, University of Florida, Ronald McDonald
million healthcare agency with 330 employees caring for House Charities of Southwest Florida, Naples Children &
an average of 40,000 individuals a year, including 27,000 Education Foundation (NCEF) and others. The value that
children, making it the largest single provider of pediatric care in Healthcare Network places on partnerships has allowed them
Collier County. to improve the quality of care they provide for some of the most
vulnerable in our community, like Andrew Whitehurst.
This extraordinary growth is a direct result of the many
In 20 short years, Andrew has overcome more adversity
than most of us will face in a lifetime. Complications at his
birth were later diagnosed as cerebral palsy, epilepsy and autism.
Doctors told his mother Melissa her son would never walk or
talk. He does both. His simple joy for life always evokes a smile
from his mom.
But Andrew’s own smile was sorely deteriorating to a point
that no one fully understood until a visit to the Naples Children
& Education Foundation (NCEF) Dental Pediatric Center. It
was a visit that would change his life.
“Over the years it has been extremely difficult to obtain
proper dental care for Andy,” she explains. “Exams made
him a nervous wreck. He tends to be very fearful and loud so
they were not able to complete a thorough exam.” Even basic
treatment, such as cleanings, required anesthesia, for which the
family’s medical and dental insurance companies refused to pay.
“I knew Andy hated to have his teeth brushed,” Melissa
says. “But I had no idea how serious his dental issues were.”
Last year, Andrew was referred by his family dentist to the
NCEF Pediatric Dental Center located on the Naples campus
of Edison State College. The center is one of very few in the
state with the resources to provide specialized dental care for
children like Andrew. Staffed by the Healthcare Network of
Southwest Florida and pediatric dental residents from the
University of Florida College of Dentistry, this 20,000 square
foot, state-of-the-art facility offers routine and specialty services
for underserved children ages birth to 21.
harnesses the
Power of Partnerships
for its patients ANDREW WHITEHURST WITH MOM MELISSA
by Steve Wheeler collaborative efforts Healthcare Network shares with
S ince 1977, Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida has organizations and institutions such as Florida State University
grown from two small trailers in Immokalee into a $35 College of Medicine, University of Florida, Ronald McDonald
million healthcare agency with 330 employees caring for House Charities of Southwest Florida, Naples Children &
an average of 40,000 individuals a year, including 27,000 Education Foundation (NCEF) and others. The value that
children, making it the largest single provider of pediatric care in Healthcare Network places on partnerships has allowed them
Collier County. to improve the quality of care they provide for some of the most
vulnerable in our community, like Andrew Whitehurst.
This extraordinary growth is a direct result of the many
In 20 short years, Andrew has overcome more adversity
than most of us will face in a lifetime. Complications at his
birth were later diagnosed as cerebral palsy, epilepsy and autism.
Doctors told his mother Melissa her son would never walk or
talk. He does both. His simple joy for life always evokes a smile
from his mom.
But Andrew’s own smile was sorely deteriorating to a point
that no one fully understood until a visit to the Naples Children
& Education Foundation (NCEF) Dental Pediatric Center. It
was a visit that would change his life.
“Over the years it has been extremely difficult to obtain
proper dental care for Andy,” she explains. “Exams made
him a nervous wreck. He tends to be very fearful and loud so
they were not able to complete a thorough exam.” Even basic
treatment, such as cleanings, required anesthesia, for which the
family’s medical and dental insurance companies refused to pay.
“I knew Andy hated to have his teeth brushed,” Melissa
says. “But I had no idea how serious his dental issues were.”
Last year, Andrew was referred by his family dentist to the
NCEF Pediatric Dental Center located on the Naples campus
of Edison State College. The center is one of very few in the
state with the resources to provide specialized dental care for
children like Andrew. Staffed by the Healthcare Network of
Southwest Florida and pediatric dental residents from the
University of Florida College of Dentistry, this 20,000 square
foot, state-of-the-art facility offers routine and specialty services
for underserved children ages birth to 21.
