National Nurses Week is May 6th through 12th, which occurs during the week of Florence Nightingale’s birthday. In 1963 the leadership in United States officially established this special week for a Special Profession. Nursing is a fellowship of hope and healing for those who are ill and hurting.

In America there are 2.7 million RN’s, 752,300 LPN’s and 1.5 million Nurses’ Aides. The Neighborhood Health Clinic has over 100 volunteer nurses, many whom have served for over 14 years and with a deep commitment to caring for those in need.

We thank our brothers and sisters who have come to share their skills, talent and compassion in the delivery of care for low-income workers in Collier County.

We encourage all who read this to express your appreciation and respect for the nurses in your life. Remember the times they brought you comfort.

Thank you Neighborhood Health Clinic Volunteer Nurses for your dedication to improving the lives and health of those who are less fortunate.

Pictured L to R: Erika Hinson, Ann Crews, Carly Farcy and Jo Ward.

A big thank you to The Best of Everything owners, Chris and Christine Bent, for donating gift bags for our nursing staff and volunteers.

At the Neighborhood Health Clinic we have more than 700 volunteers. Let’s take this time to celebrate National Volunteer Month and to recognize our outstanding volunteers whose dedication over the past 14 years has provided over $14,237,135 in value of donated services.

Thanks to the generosity of our volunteers, we will honor their request to do something different this year. Instead of hosting our annual volunteer appreciation event, the funds will be used instead to purchase costly prescription medications for our patients. Once again, our volunteers demonstrate their compassion and commitment to this organization.

In January, Nancy was honored with the 2013 Bella Spirit Award. Readers were asked to nominate a dynamic woman they felt best exemplified èBella’s charter to inspire and empower, connect the community and make a real difference. It was with no surprise that Nancy Lascheid was chosen.

In April, èBella partners with the Community Foundation of Collier County’s Women’s Philanthropic Network to acknowledge and pay tribute to the women they have chosen as the year’s Women of Initiative. Only 10 women are chosen who are being honored for enriching local lives and inspiring others to make a difference. Of these women our volunteer, Susan Jones, was named as one of the 2013 Woman of Initiative.

Susan is a nurse volunteer at the Neighborhood Health Clinic and has been our Block Party Chair for 3 years. Susan also chairs The Guild’s events committee whose mission is to raise friends and funds to support Neighborhood Health Clinic patient services. Susan and her husband, Dr. Paul Jones, were named the Neighborhood Health Clinic’s Vital Volunteers in March.

The luncheon started with time to mingle and network with members and potential members on the patio, while enjoying wine and sparkling water.

Guild member, Lauree Personette, welcomed everyone and spoke about the Neighborhood Health Clinic and what role the Clinic has to improve the quality of life and health in our community. Lauree introduced the Neighborhood Health Clinic CEO, Leslie Lascheid, who then gave an overview of the mission of the organization and a heartfelt thank you to the Guild for their continued support.

Elizabeth Lyon, Joy Dillon and Chris Brick presented Leslie with a check for the past year’s fund raising in the amount of $19,000 to be used for items on the Clinic’s Wish List. These funds were raised throughout the year from luncheons, a fashion show, individual donations, gift baskets auctioned at the Block Party and more.

Founding Guild member, Susan Jones, introduced another Guild Founding Member, Penny Lauer, who was the guest speaker. Penny shared a scenario from her book, Skipping Stones, which enabled the audience to learn more about the signs and prevention of domestic abuse. Ellen Harris, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, joined Penny in the discussion and helped answer questions about the signs of abuse and how to help.

Angie has been volunteering in the Administration Department. She has been involved in community events, administrative duties, photography for volunteers and other important tasks. Her assistance with the Block Party was crucial to its success. Whatever project is handed to Angie, she brings energy and dedication that exceeds all expectations.

If asked why she prefers non-profit work over for-profit employment, it is apparent that she cares not only for the people that are being helped but also for those who are dedicated to the goals of the non-profit.

Enrolled in Seton Hall University for an MBA in marketing, Angie has been finishing her course work at FGCU. Her hope is to find employment working in marketing and development for a non-profit organization. She would love to stay in Florida but if the opportunity arises for her to make a difference elsewhere, her bags can be packed in seconds.

Angie is a certified, open water advanced diver and loves to travel. To complete an item on her “bucket list”, she will be leaving in May to tour Peru and then experience a four day trek on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru.

“I love volunteering here at the Neighborhood Health Clinic and enjoy having several different tasks and learning different skill sets. The people are so much fun to work with and have been a great help to me.”

• One third of working adults in Collier County have no health insurance

• The percent of working adults in Collier County without health insurance is about two times the national average

• More than 46,000 working adults in Collier County are below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level and do not have health insurance

• Poverty rate of Collier County adults rose from 9% to 15% in the last six years

Phase two of this project will be conducted in October 2013 and we will publish those results soon thereafter.

Our sincere appreciation goes to the Hodges University team for the enormity of this project. Thank you to Dr. Nancey Wyant, Dr. Aysegul Timur, Susan Casey, Davor Pranjic, Dr. Gerald Franz, Dr. Carlene Harrison, and Anke Stugk.

When the study is completed we will have an expanded picture about the ongoing need for the Neighborhood Health Clinic, community perception of our organization and ways to enhance support.

Click here to read the entire needs assessment.

Join the Neighborhood Health Clinic Heelers as we fight against breast cancer and put on our walking and running shoes to join the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure on March 9th. Start time is 8am and we meet in Bonita Springs (location and time TBD) for our group photo and then head to Coconut Point Mall for the 8 am start time.

Click here to find out how to register for the Neighborhood Health Clinic Heelers team.