THE CITY OF MULBERRY is buzzing with excitement as residents watch the new Central Florida Health Care (CFHC) primary care clinic come to realization.
The planning stages began about five years ago. Many letters of support were submitted on behalf of CFHC to HRSA (the Health Resources and Services Administration).
The clinic began operating out of a trailer on March 10, 2014, until the 5,000-square-foot, two-story building opens at the end of March 2015. It has been a great partnership with the city of Mulberry to make this happen. City Manager Rick Johnson and his staff, along with the city commissioners, have been instrumental in the success of the clinic.
CFHC did an RPF (request for proposal) and selected Spectrum Building Systems in Gainesville, Georgia, to build the clinic. Spectrum is working with local companies to complete the inside of the building, which includes electrical, plumbing, flooring, installing equipment, and all the finishing touches in anticipation of the clinic opening at the end of March. It has been a long time coming, but very soon we will be able to provide primary and dental care along with pediatrics, pharmacy, lab, X-ray, health education, and case-management services.
We are beginning to plan for the ribbon-cutting on Friday, April 3. We also have a family day with fun activities and tours planned for Saturday, April 4.
The Mulberry clinic is located at the northeast corner of State Road 60 and Prairie Mine Road. Richard Dames is the Health Center administrator. The clinic will have about 22 employees once it is completed and fully staffed. For more information, please call (863) 425-6200.
This column is sponsored by Central Florida Health Care.
CREDIT
column by ANN CLAUSSEN
BIO: Ann Claussen comes to Central Florida Health Care with more than 20 years of experience in health and finance management. As CEO, she oversees nine FQHCs (Federally Qualified Health Centers) that provide primary adult and pediatric care, obstetrics/gynecology, dental, pharmacy, lab and X-ray services in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties.