Healthcare Network starting $4 million renovation of Immokalee clinic in early 2024

Paul Midney could very well be the unofficial historian of Healthcare Network, a provider of medical care that got its start in Immokalee in 1977.

Originally called Collier Health Services, Midney was hired by the nonprofit organization as a registered nurse in 1984.

Patients were being seen in borrowed space in the state Department of Health on North First Street in Immokalee instead of trailers in the nonprofit’s earliest days.

Fast forward to 1993 and the organization relocated to the Marion E. Fether building at 1454 Madison Ave. W.

“It was a big improvement,” Midney, currently a diabetes educator, said.

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Now 30 years later the clinic, named after a health educator in Immokalee, is getting a makeover to make better use of the space, for better use of technology and to address growth.

Healthcare Network is investing as much as $4 million to renovate the building and another $15 million in a new building for patient care at Orangetree Boulevard and Immokalee Road, roughly 22 miles west of Immokalee in northern Golden Gate Estates.

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Both endeavors are a sign of significant growth of residential and commercial development in eastern Collier. All those families need health care.

The organization, which reported $63 million in total revenue, including grants, in its 2021 nonprofit financial documents, provides a full gamut of primary care, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, senior care, dental health, mental health and pharmacy services.

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Healthcare Network reported seeing 50,000 patients in 2022 at its dozen locations in Collier and provided $15 million in uncompensated care. It is a federally qualified health center that serves underprivileged populations.

“Healthcare Network is such a positive influence (in the community),” Midney said. “I’ve seen generations grow up.”

What’s the timeline for the clinic renovation?

The plan is to start the renovation of the 42,000-square-foot Marion E. Fether clinic in early 2024 with the work in phases so patients maintain access to care.

The project cost is $3 million to $4 million, with $1.6 million coming in federal funding. The project will take 18 to 24 months.

The space will be reconfigured so there is one central waiting room at the front of the building so interior space can be renovated for seeing more patients.

Midney said currently there isn’t much opportunity to take walk-in patients.

“We’re booked,” he said.

The clinic sees 10,000 patients a year, not including women and children cared for at the Florida State University College of Medicine building next door.

The expectation is that patient capacity can double at the revamped clinic, where the services are adult and senior care, dental, specialty care focusing on infectious diseases, behavioral health and the in-house pharmacy.

“It’s an exciting time for our organization to begin modernizing and improving Marion E. Fether, which has been a staple in Immokalee for a very long time, providing care to countless families throughout the years,” Jamie Ulmer, president and chief executive officer of Healthcare Network, said in a news release. “It is time for the building to reflect the top-notch care patients receive.”

What about Orangetree?

This past summer when Healthcare Network announced plans for building the 20,000-square-foot medical center at Orangetree, growth projections showed 60,000 residents will be living in the region off Immokalee Road from Collier Boulevard east toward Ave Maria, Ulmer said.

The region has lacked access to medical care; Healthcare Network projects 30,000 patients visits of both adults and children, at the opening of the Orangetree location targeted for December 2024.

A community health assessment in 2022 spearheaded by the state Department if Health in concert with numerous local organizations found shortfalls in access continues due to uninsured rates, health care disparities, lifestyle influences, chronic disease and other factors.

Findings show provider shortages contributed to 22% of residents who were surveyed saying there are not enough primary care resources and 24% saying that was the case for dental care.

The Orangetree building will offer services for all ages, including obstetrics/gynecology, dental, behavioral health and a drive-thru pharmacy.

The land of 1.7 acres for the Orangetree complex was purchased for $3.5 million from Barron Collier Companies at what is called the Winchester development. The building itself will cost $10 million. A capital campaign is under way.

Healthcare Network received $1.75 million from the state of Florida this past year for the Orangetree project.

The appropriation was spearheaded by state Sen. President Kathleen Passidomo and state Rep. Lauren Melo, both Republicans from Naples.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Immokalee clinic makeover to start with Healthcare Network investment