Neighborhood Health Clinic 2016 Annual Report There is a saying, “You can always make more money but Board of you can’t make more time.” Accordingly, when one gives their time to a person or cause, it is a particularly precious gift because of time’s irretrievable and finite nature. By giving Directors their gift of time, the volunteers at the Neighborhood Health Clinic give something incredibly special to the Clinic and to our patients. Officers John P. Cardillo, Esq. The Clinic has been truly blessed over the years with the Chair generosity of others in terms of time, talent, and treasure. I was quite astonished when I realized just how much time our Paul O. Jones MD volunteers give. Chair Elect C. Michael Armstrong In fiscal year 2016, the Clinic’s volunteers donated the Treasurer equivalent of 2.5 years of their time. Awesome! Craig J. Eichler MD This invaluable gift of time is indicative of several things Secretary such as: Katherine G. Sachs The time our physicians spend with patients is Member-At-Large determined by the needs of the patient, not by non- Nancy Lascheid, RN, BSN medical considerations such as administrative or Co-Founder financial matters; The dedication of the volunteers who, without fail, come Directors to the Clinic and fill the roles that make the Clinic run Michael E. Autera smoothly as well as those volunteers who are always on Linda A. Bilodeau call to assist where needed; Thomas C. Brick DMD Committee members who provide their time to lead and Barbara Ann Britten MD guide the Clinic, maintain the high medical standards, Adriana Buitrago and look to future needs and how those needs will be met; as well as those volunteers who help increase George W. Ferguson MD awareness and community support for the Clinic. Vincent Foglia Robert J. Meli MD While the patients may not know Robert W. Payne DDS the exact number of hours donated to their care, they fully appreciate that Catherine A. Perez the caring attention they receive is Janet H. Vasey given freely from the heart by our most David J. Wolff generous volunteers. Chief Executive Officer Leslie Lascheid Chief Development Officer Keith Maples Medical Director Robert B. Tober MD John P. Cardillo Chair of the Board of Directors The past year at the Clinic has been positive, rewarding and very busy! In 2016, the Clinic can report that 90 cents of every dollar goes to patient services, reflecting the Board of Directors’ conscientious oversight and our volunteers’ dedication, giving their time and service to our patients. Charity Navigator recognized this stewardship by awarding the Clinic its “4 Star” rating, for the fifth consecutive year. Supporters and donors see these factors as very positive indicators of a well run agency, recognizing a high standard of accountability, sound financial health and transparency. The year also reflected a rapidly changing health care environment. The Clinic responded nimbly to changing circumstances. The Clinic’s coordination of care has changed due to increased complexity of our patient’s medical situations, necessitating specialty clinics and increased Clinic hours. Patients who present with a chronic illness, such as diabetes, may need the care of multiple physicians, frequent lab testing, medication, nutritional counseling, and education, all done within the Clinic. In order to provide the coordinated care that is a medical necessity, the expansion of dental services has been accelerated. Poor oral health creates its own set of complications. A diabetics’ inability to control blood sugar can cause infection of the gums and bones that hold the teeth in place. Oral infections preclude surgery until resolved. Infection can move to the brain. The changing medical landscape affects service providers who donate laboratory and diagnostic testing services to our patients. Physician retirements, national companies purchasing local providers and lack of capacity have long been considered “threats” to our patient care. Once again, the Board of Directors and those working on the clinic expansion recognize these possibilities and provide for the eventual need for in-house delivery of those services. The future does not always go according to our plans but because the Clinic leadership has planned well, the Clinic is prepared to turn today’s challenges into promises for tomorrow. “Being there when someone is in need - that’s a good neighbor and the purpose of the Neighborhood Health Clinic.” Leslie Lascheid Chief Executive Officer I am writing this letter on April 12, 2017, it is the 18th anniversary of the opening of the Neighborhood Health Clinic. In 1999, we started with three small exam rooms in a strip mall, and we saw eight patients. Our first patient was David. He was a dishwasher in a small nearby restaurant. His appearance was humble and downtrodden. A quick exam of his physical condition proved that his chronic illnesses were adding to the conditions we were seeing. Driving home after the first night, my husband and I discussed our concern regarding the scope of services that the eight patients we had cared for would need. Intimidating to say the least. Reflecting on the years that have passed I marvel at the manner in which the community has embraced the needs of our first eight patients and all the thousands that followed and are still being cared for at the Clinic. The development and expansion of the medical and dental care we provide is patient driven. We were surprised by the multiple medical conditions of the patients we had that first night, and we are still in awe of how hard our patients work while struggling with chronic diseases and illnesses. Our goal is to improve the health of our patients and therefore the quality of their lives. The physicians asked for the skills of dentists to enhance the scope of our care. In the initial stages, the community and donors alike heard the concerns and stepped forward. We would like to thank Collier’s Reserve Country Club, Mr. and Mrs. Wells Martin, Jr., the Naples United Church of Christ Congregation, and Mr. and Mrs. Terrence S. Stewart, Sr. for leading the charge. Therefore, we look forward to breaking ground on our property south of the existing building. David and our 10,000 other patients have had their lives blessed because so many people in Naples care. Nancy Lascheid Co-Founder Our Mission To deliver quality medical and dental care to low-income, working but uninsured Collier County adults, using a professional volunteer staff and funded by private philanthropy. Treasures are precious, of great value and meaningful to one’s heart. The definition of the Neighborhood Health Clinic. Every day at the Clinic, we have newly discovered treasures. Our patients, donors, volunteers and professional staff are the Clinic’s treasures. Over the past year, the Clinic continued to grow to fulfill the vision of our founders Dr. William P. Lascheid and Nancy Lascheid to deliver quality medical and dental care to uninsured, low-income, working adults between the ages of 19-64. The Clinic performed over 26,500 procedures during 2016. We work with amazing professional volunteers to deliver the highest quality medical and dental care. Our donors support the Clinic financially allowing us to bring in state of the art equipment and services for our patients. Thousands of volunteer hours make the dream a true reality. Every day, I am lucky enough to walk into our treasure chest, the Neighborhood Health Clinic. Thank you for being one of our treasures we so value here at the Clinic. We couldn’t do it without you! Keith Maples Chief Development Officer Our Vision We are committed to deliver services in a caring, supportive environment that respects the dignity of each patient. We have all been raised with the idea that angels are present. I always thought angels Our Patients Share were a nice and cozy, sort of happy concept but I slowly dismissed the notion since I never saw any of them flying around. I have always said Their Stories that if indeed there are angels, maybe they take the form of a loving pet or creature that brings out our kindness, our smiles and our humanity. But now, having worked at the Neighborhood Health Clinic since it began, I have adopted a broader understanding of the angels around and Karen amongst us! (picture framer) One only has to look as far as our volunteers, “I read a newspaper including our nurses and physicians to understand article about the good that angels take many, many forms and most never work this Clinic does. I sprout wings, at least in this dimension. And, found a lump and was sometimes, I think the angels are those people scared. This place has that bring out the best in each and every one of saved my life. They are us. I know that the Neighborhood Health Clinic so kind and caring and certainly leads me in a very positive, emotional they have sent me to all and spiritual direction. the right people and right Sometimes I think the angels are those sweet places. I know I’m going and loving patients expressing such gratitude that to be okay because of we care for them. They too, instill a glow and them.” warmth that no set of burning logs could match. All in all, our Neighborhood Health Clinic is mission-centric for a very large and diverse Christopher set of angels encompassing many different talents and walks of life. Take a close look at our (boat cleaner) community of angels helping angels and trying “A doctor in the to make the world a better place to live.