Page 60 - LIN February-2023_web-version

Health Care Network

Welcomes New Leader

JAMIE ULMER
PRESIDENT. CEO. ONE OF THE LARGEST PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS.

Jamie Ulmer, right, interviewed by Bob Orr,
retired CBS newsman, at Press Club of
Southwest Florida. Courtesy Julie Pedretti.

by Jeff Lytle
ealthcare Network, with 11 locations
Q. How do you recruit and retain quality staff?
throughout Collier County, today
A. We utilize traditional and now non-traditional resources
Hwears many hats since starting in 1977.
such as job boards (on Indeed, Facebook and LinkedIn), local
• It is the largest primary care provider for community job fairs and recruiters, as well as existing staff for
pediatrics.
referrals to help us identify mission-driven individuals. Non-
• It is the largest primary care provider for traditionally, we are also growing our own, by investing in our staff
prenatal care, with over 1,400 deliveries per year.
and help them get the qualifications needed to perform certain,
• It is one of the largest primary care providers. more specialized roles.
And, it has a new president and CEO,
Last year, we launched a program called Healthcare Network
Jamie Ulmer, who brings a career in military and public health
Academy to help staff complete the education, training and
administration, most recently in Aiken, South Carolina.
requirements needed to become certified Medical Assistants
He answered questions for Life in Naples.
and Pharmacy Technicians. At the end of the program, enrolled
Q. What are the greatest challenges facing quality health care
students have a job ready for them at a Healthcare Network
for low-income communities in Collier County?
practice.
A. For low-income communities within Collier County, access
Q. How do you meet the challenge of informing the public
to medical care is a critical issue that has heightened since the
about Healthcare Network?
pandemic.
A. In addition to creating content for traditional and social
For over 45 years, Healthcare Network has worked to break
media channels, we collaborate with numerous organizations,
down barriers to care and improve health outcomes for individuals
local and state governments, as well as social welfare, health and
from all backgrounds.
business organizations to reach families in need and improve
Barriers to care that we see include transportation, ability
health outcomes.
to take time off from work, lack of insurance, cultural/language
Furthermore, we deployed a Community Outreach team that
differences, trust, and low health literacy. These barriers are
literally goes out into high-risk communities (sometimes door-to-
significant because they keep low-income individuals from seeking
door) such as Immokalee, Golden Gate and Everglades City to
the care they need, exacerbating existing medical conditions until
reach individuals in need and to build trust in health care.
the conditions become grave.
60 Life in Naples | February 2023