Breaking Member News
The latest news from CHCA Member Organizations is provided below. Press releases may be accessed by visiting For the Media.
May 2010 - Florida Healthcare Pioneer Awarded National Recognition for Migrant Health Service
Jules Mijares of CHS Healthcare in Immokalee has been named the winner of the Outstanding 
Migrant Health Public Service award. The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) presented her with this national award in San Diego, California, at the 2010 National Farmworker Health Conference In May.
Mijares was nominated and won this honor because of her efforts in the migrant community. She has led the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® program (RMCM) to exceed expectations and, by doing so, she has touched the lives of thousands of underserved children and their families in our community. In the beginning, she was the face of the new, unknown program in the community. She was the first contact in the community and more importantly, one-by-one, she took the hand of thousands of children and introduced them to the program. She created trust and turned a doctor's appointment into a positive experience.
Now, five years after the Care Mobile first appeared in Collier County, you will find her managing a wildly successful residency program, in partnership with UF College of Dentistry, and an award winning Care Mobile program that ensures seamless follow-up, first class customer service, and the promise of high quality, affordable dental care."
April 22, 2010 - Akin Honored / CHS Receives AAAHC Accreditation
Richard B. Akin, President and CEO of CHS Healthcare was awarded the 2010 Prendergast Family Award April 22nd by the Lee Memorial Health System Foundation, honoring him as one of Southwest Florida's leading child advocates.
Under his leadership, Collier Health Services, Inc. has also recently achieved accreditation by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). Status as an accredited organization means CHS Healthcare has met nationally recognized standards for the provision of quality health care, set by the Accreditation Association. More than 4,500 ambulatory health care organizations across the United States are accredited by AAAHC.
Ambulatory health care organizations seeking accreditation by the AAAHC undergo an extensive self-assessment and on-site survey by the Accreditation Association's expert surveyors - volunteer physicians, nurses, and administrators who are actively involved in ambulatory health care. The survey is consultative and educational, presenting best practices to help an organization improve its care and services. To learn more, visit AAAHC.
February 26, 2010: CEO of Bond Community Health Center Honored .jpg)
In its third annual celebration of Black History Month, the Florida Department of Children and Families, in partnership with Florida A&M University and 100 Black Men of Florida, hosted: "Real Fathers, Real Sons, Real Men: Continuing the Dream." The event was held Friday, February 26th on the FAMU campus in Lee Hall Auditorium, and recognized outstanding African-American men making a difference in the lives of children and families of Florida.
J. R. Richards, CEO of Bond Community Health Center since 2003, was among the honorees at the event. He joined a contingent of notable recipients such as Earle Lee, founder and director of The Boys' Choir of Tallahassee, who was once presented the "Use Your Life Award" by Oprah Winfrey's Angel Network. Mr. Richards received his Masters of Public Administration from Long Island University, where he graduated with distinction. He served as a nonprofit leader for a New York agency for more than 12 years before joining Bond CHC, where his efforts have yielded both capacity and service expansion within Tallahassee and the rural surrounding counties. He has presented nationally on topics such as the integration of Behavioral Health within an FQHC environment and the role of outreach in identifying and bringing into care HIV+ clients.
February 23, 2010: Services for DeWayne Yates
CHCA Secretary / Treasurer Paul DeWayne Yates passed away February 20, 2010. He served as CEO of both Family
Medical and Dental Services (Palatka, FL) and Trenton Medical Center (Trenton, FL).
He leaves his wife, Marsha; their four young children; and a host of dedicated individuals working shoulder to shoulder with him in his efforts to improve health outcomes and the quality of care provided to his community. CHCA staff and members extend sympathy to all whose lives he touched.
Please click here to view the announcement published in the Gainesville Sun, which includes details on memorial donations to the Yates Scholarship Fund for his children. The Lake City Journal has also archived a memorial to DeWayne here.
2009 Archive
December 4, 2009: Dr. Jose Quero named "Patient Care Provider of the Year” 
By The Southwest Florida Regional HIV/AIDS Council
Dr. Jose Quero of CHS Healthcare (CHS) has been named “Patient Care Provider of the Year” by The Southwest Florida Regional HIV/AIDS Council (RHAC). RHAC presents this award to an individual for providing exceptional care and treatment for persons living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS. Nominations are accepted for professionals who work in Florida's Area 8, which is comprised of Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Sarasota counties. Dr. Quero practices at the CHS Marion E. Fether Center (MEF) in Immokalee where he has been providing quality care for 20 years. He serves as the Chief of Adult Medicine at CHS and has served on the board of several HIV support organizations over the years including his present seat on the board of ICAN.
Ellen Cordoba, RN Clinical Nurse Manager of the program at MEF, nominated Dr. Quero for this year’s award. In her nomination she explains that Dr. Quero strives to help each patient achieve his/her maximum level of wellness. "There are numerous stories of truly miraculous recoveries, but in addition to this, there are just as many stories of the many times he has reached out with acts of kindness well beyond his duties as a practitioner," said Cordoba. In Immokalee, the organization cares for a culturally diverse, rural, migrant community. Patients present at Marion E. Fether with diverse cultural beliefs, speaking various languages and dialects. The obstacles present in this community have never deterred Dr. Quero. Steven D. Weinman, CHS’ Executive Vice-President/Chief Operating Officer, agrees with Cordoba’s Assessment. “I have known Dr. Quero since he started with us at CHS,” he remarked. “He has treated me and members of my family. He represents the very best of what a Community Health Center stands for. I couldn’t imagine another person more deserving of this honor.”
When told of his being honored this year, Dr. Quero with his typical humility stated, "the award should be for my team, I could not achieve the success I have without this staff."
Pictured above: Center: Dr. Jose Quero receiving congratulatory award from staff; left: Ellen Cordoba; right: Steve Weinman, VP/COO of CHS Healthcare.
November 10, 2009: MCRHS Hosts Site Visit with Secretary Sebelius
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius visited Manatee County Rural Health Services' (MCRHS) East Manatee Family Healthcare Center in Bradenton Tuesday, November 10th. This visit coincided with American Diabetes Month, and included a round table discussion of issues surrounding H1N1 vaccine plans.
Joined by Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Secretary Sebelius toured the Bradenton facility (pictured right with MCRHS CEO Mickey Presha). She highlighted the importance of those with concomitant conditions such as Diabetes to ensure they receive the recommended vaccines against both seasonal and the novel H1N1 Influenza A virus. Her visit included multiple news outlets showcasing MCRHS and the important work community health centers do every day supporting the health of those who have no other options for care.
August 23, 2009: CHCA Members Awarded Funds to Expand Services
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced more than $25.7 million in grants to increase and improve health and support services at the nation's health centers. Those funded include:
- Behavioral Health: Collier Health Services, Inc. (CHSI)
- Enabling Services: CHSI, Rural Health Care, Inc. (Family Medical and Dental Services), and Manatee County Rural Health Services
CHSI, who utilized CHCA grant writing assistance in these funding rounds, will be putting their grant dollars to work in rural Immokalee, which reports the zip code with the highest rate of uninsured individuals in the state and where concentrations of Migrant/Seasonal Farm Workers (MSFW) swell the population by as much as 40,000 annually. Their plans include expanding successful outreach and transportation projects - such as in-home visits for new mothers and increasing the hours of their patient bus service - and expanding behavioral health services. HRSA's Jim Macrae, who spoke at the conference on Monday, shared that only 15% of the applications received in the behavioral health category received funding during this round.
"I'm thrilled that we will be able to expand our partnership with Florida State University to offer pediatric behavioral health services to our patients," said Dr. Bill Kuzbyt, Director of Professional Services for CHSI. "Integrating pediatric psychology services into regular pediatric care will enhance health outcomes for the nearly 3,000 children and families we serve in Immokalee each year."
Congratulations to all our members and the communities they serve!
August 11, 2009: Bond CHC Opens New Access Point Health Center for the Homeless
The Kay Freeman Health Center, a 1,400-square-foot portable on the grounds of the HOPE Community in Tallahassee, is now open. The satellite health center was made possible by federal stimulus money under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. To read the full news article from the Tallahassee Democrat, click here.
August 11, 2009: NEFHS Opens New Center, Welcomes New CEO 
With 4,100 square feet and nine gleaming exam rooms, the new Northeast Florida Health Services (NEFHS) facility in Pierson is just what the doctor ordered. And it is aptly named one who has given more than thirty years of his professional life to his community. A ribbon cutting ceremony for new health center building, which honors the work of Dr. Donald Smith, was held August 10th. Diane Gaddis, who attended the special event on behalf of CHCA, reports that Dr. Smith and family were overwhelmed by the honor and outpouring of appreciation.
In addition to celebrating the opening of a new center, NEFHS also welcomed a new Chief Executive Officer. Kathy J. Wilkes (pictured above) now oversees operations in Pierson, Deland and Deltona.
Prior to joining NEFHS, Ms. Wilkes served the Community Health Center of Fort Dodge (CHCFD) as Executive Director from its inception in November 2005, guiding the center through its startup phase. She also held the position of Director of Resource Development for First Coast Workforce Development in Jacksonville, Florida prior to joining CHCFD. She has over ten years experience serving non-profit organizations in Oregon where she was Executive Director of North Coast Senior Services, Director of Operations and Business Development at The Challenge Center, and Director of Small Business Development.
Ms. Wilkes brings a wealth of knowledge in social services programs and business management experience in non-profit, for-profit, education, and governmental arenas. During her work history, she has created many innovative programs that continue to provide support services and economic assistance to those in need. Included in these accomplishments are: development of a county transportation system, business ventures supporting jobs for adults with disabilities, and career training programs for disadvantaged youth and adults. She holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from De Paul University, and a Bachelors Degree from Wayne State College.
March 2, 2009: Bond Community Health Center is First CHCA Member to Benefit Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
Tallahasee-based Bond Community Health Center is one of 126 health centers across the nation to benefit from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) under New Access Point funding released March 2nd. "We have acted quickly to put Recovery Act dollars to good use in communities across America," said President Obama. "The construction and expansion of health centers will create thousands of new jobs, help provide health care to an estimated 750,000 Americans across the country who wouldn’t have access to care without these centers, and take another step toward an affordable, accessible health care system." For more on the ARRA, visit: www.hhs.gov/recovery