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Clinic expands to serve our working poor

GROWS ALONG WITH THE COMMUNITY:

here are non-profit organizations
that embrace community challenges
T and, after reaching capacity, sustain
rather than grow.
Then there are non-profits that commit to
do whatever it takes to handle demand that
grows along with the community.
by Jeff Lytle The Neighborhood Health Clinic in
central Naples, dedicated for more than
20 years to helping and healing the uninsured working poor, has
completed its latest push to go above and beyond.
Since 2003, expansion of service has meant renovations. This
time expansion means real expansion at the former site of a string
of car businesses – a dealer, restoration and repair center, and a The connected chain of buildings that blend into their growing
car wash. surroundings is light years from founders Nancy and the late
Capping a nearly $13 million fundraising campaign to Dr. Bill Lascheid’s launch in a storefront at an underachieving,
remain debt-free, the Neighborhood Health Clinic campus long-gone shopping center a block away. They were not even sure
on Goodlette-Frank Road has unveiled the donor-named they were on the right track when proposing the clinic, driven by
Armstrong Medical Building and Van Domelen Education and philanthropy and volunteers, to relieve costly pressure on the NCH
Wellness Building. downtown emergency room.
Armstrong houses radiology, expanded dental services now “Once we got to 2003” when the first phase of the stand-alone
comprising a full four-part suite, women’s health, wound care, clinic opened, “we never looked back,” Nancy Lascheid now says.
ophthalmology, ENT and vision. Van Domelen features a “A medical and dental campus unfolded.”
teaching kitchen studio with audio-visual for audiences, and Staff members chime in. “We are blessed to be able to help our
classrooms for breast health, diabetes management, healthy community with such amazing medical and dental care,” says Keith
lifestyles, pain management, smoking cessation and social Maples, chief development officer.
services. The wing also has space for staff meetings and clinic Marcie Burland, a development colleague, adds emphasis on
social/fundraising events. a key component: It’s all about “those who keep our community
The president and CEO of a proud collaborator, Paul Hiltz thriving” – modestly paid workers in service industries.
of NCH Healthcare System, says the clinic “brings tremendous Michael Daltry, president and CEO of the Greater Naples
benefit to our community and the expanding service for our Chamber of Commerce, notes Naples depends on the working
neighbors is positive news for Naples.” poor, mirroring other resort towns. “We are fortunate to have the
clinic,” he observes. “Many other places don’t.”

78 Life in Naples | April 2022