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This year, Healthcare Network is celebrating 45 years of service! Since its founding in 1977, the organization's mission has been to provide quality healthcare accessible to everyone, regardless of income, insurance or job status. Over the years, the health center has grown from two small trailers in Immokalee to a comprehensive network of providers located throughout Collier County! Its long history includes:

Dr. Emily Ptaszek, Healthcare Network President and CEO, writes about the organization's work in building a safe and healthy community and hopes for the future in the Naples Daily News. Read the guest opinion here or learn more about Healthcare Network here!

When the first case of the omicron variant was discovered in Florida on December 6, the positivity rate was 2.6%. According to the Florida Department of Health's weekly report, the positivity rate during the last week of December rose to 26.5%.

Experts are still discovering more information about the new variant such as how easily it spreads, the severity of illness it causes or how available vaccines and treatments work against it. To stay informed on the latest developments, please visit the CDC.

get a COVID-19 test, click here to find a list of testing sites in SWFL on the Healthcare Network website.

This year, Give Where You Live Collier will take place from noon Feb. 9 to noon Feb 10, and Healthcare Network has been chosen to participate once again! During this 24-hour period, all donations made will be amplified by funds from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation and the Community Foundation of Collier County.

For some of the most vulnerable individuals, Healthcare Network is the only place they can count on to receive quality, affordable and compassionate care. Many of the patients Healthcare Network serves are uninsured or simply do not have insurance at all. This means that some of the care provided goes uncompensated. In fact, in 2020, Healthcare Network provided $15 million in uncompensated care.

Access to primary care is the cornerstone for building a strong, healthy community. And while Healthcare Network has made great strides over the last 45 years, the need for comprehensive affordable healthcare continues to grow, especially in our rapidly growing community and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Visit Healthcare Network's giving page to learn more about how the organization is making healthcare accessible to all and how you can support its mission.

Life with a child diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can be overwhelming. Often children with ADHD struggle with behaviors that can be disruptive to others, such as difficulty paying attention, sitting still and controlling impulsive behavior. Their ability to focus can affect learning and friendships while also placing a lot of stress on the family.

However, it is important to remember that a child with ADHD is not intentionally being difficult or lazy; they are often trying as hard as they can to focus. Healthcare Network pediatric provider Alicia Fernandez-Garcia, M.D., FAAP shares tips to help families support a child with ADHD. Read more on the Healthcare Network blog.

You can also find "How to support your child with ADHD" in Neapolitan Family Magazine.

Submit your community event to the Healthcare Network website calendar! To be included your event must be free and open to all community members.

Other important community events such as

COVID-19 testing and vaccine clinics are regularly added. Be sure to check back frequently to stay informed about local events.

A fresh new start can be the motivation you need to begin achieving your health goals. If one of your health goals for the new year is eating healthier and well-balanced meals, check these tips out from Healthcare Network's registered dietitian!

Follow Healthcare Network on social media for more health tips!

Visiting the dentist can be a nerve-racking experience for anyone. For children, it can be traumatic. Dental sedation can help make dental procedures safe and reduce discomfort for children.

Dental sedation is a great option for pediatric patients who suffer from severe dental anxiety, need several procedures to be done during a single visit or have a medical, physical or emotional disability that limits their ability to understand directions and remain calm.

At Healthcare Network, the sedation program, available at the Nichols Community Health Center's pediatric dental practice, reduces health disparities in underserved populations by improving access to appropriate dental care for thousands of at-risk children.

You can learn more about Healthcare Network's pediatric dental services at the Nichols Community Health Center by visiting HealthcareSWFL.org.