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There was more Shiny Sheet coverage of the Caridad event recognizing the contribution our volunteers make to the health of the uninsured, working poor of Palm Beach County.

To read the article and accompanying photos click here http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/lifestyles/medical-minded/nXnfD/.

Caridad, 14 Palm Beach County Nonprofits

Receive Grants From Wycliffe Charities Foundation

Wycliffe Golf & Country Club members and guests again showed their philanthropic spirit to at the annual Wycliffe Charities Golf Tournament last month. This year’s annual event, which had 246 participants in golf, tennis and the foundation’s silent auction, raised $90,000 for local Palm Beach County organizations including Caridad Center.

“With our other fundraising events that included raffles, a Valentine’s Day dinner hosted by generous Wycliffe members and a bike/walk event, the Wycliffe Charities Foundation raised $140,000 this year,” said Wycliffe Charities president, Sue Webber.

The Foundation was then able to donate to 15 non-profit health and children’s related organizations in Palm Beach County. In addition to Caridad, non-profits include Quantum House, Palm Beach Habilitation, Mental Health Association of Palm Beach County, Hospice Foundation of Palm Beach County, Sari Asher Center for Integrative Cancer Care, Aid to Domestic Abuse, Alper Jewish Family Center, Children’s Home Society, Home Safe, Horses for Healing, Speak up for Kids, Child and Family Connections, VSA, and local EMS-fire rescue.

Wycliffe Charities Foundation was founded 20 years ago by members of Wycliffe Golf & Country Club and in 2010, the Foundation received the “Outstanding Philanthropic Private Foundation Award” for Palm Beach County. Wycliffe Charities and the members of Wycliffe hope to increase their giving each year.

For more information about Caridad Center go to WWW.caridad.org. For Wycliffe Charities and Wycliffe Golf & Country Club, please contact Carol Davis or Cheryl Loder at 561-964-9200.

At a time of great national debate on healthcare models, Caridad Center has been Palm Beach County community’s unique response to healthcare for the poor for more than 24 years. Its unique utilization of professional volunteers, clinical students, and community volunteers has forged an effective coalition for holistic care of care for the most vulnerable in our community – the working poor. Last year the patients themselves donated $89,211 program service fees to assist with their care. Physicians, dentists ophthalmologists and allied health professionals donated $2.5million in uncompensated care for 24,460 patient visits. Caridad removes barriers – cultural, linguistic, and monetary – that block access to care. And, it provides an intergenerational program – a place where retired physicians and dentists, active practitioners and professional students continue to come forward to provide for those in need.

To read more and see the slide show click here

The Boynton Beach Forum reports on the Volunteer Recognition Dinner and the three volunteers who were honored for their 20 years of service. Read the story by Jan Engored  click here www.sun-sentinel.com/news/palm-beach/boynton-beach/fl-bbf-caridad-0424-20130424,0,3665146.story

The Run From The Rays was a fantastic success. Over 713 runners of all ages participated. Cheers to Fran Nachlas, her husband Dr. Nathan Nachlas their son Jake, his friends and classmates to orgsnize the event  that benefits the free skin cancer clinic at Caridad Center and the Melanoma Foundation of New England.

See the WPTV coverage of the race click here: http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_s_palm_beach_county/boca_raton/run-for-the-rays

 A Boca Raton Triathletes member, Fran Nachlas teamed up with her husband, and the doctors he works with to organize the inaugural 5K. The Nachlas’ and many of the Run From the Rays participants ran in the Boston Marathon this year.

Read more about this community effort http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-04-17/news/fl-brf-melanoma-0417-20130417_1_skin-cancer-melanoma-foundation-caridad-center

Dr. Nathan and Fran Nachlas 

CARIDAD HONORS 3 For 20 YEARS OF SERVICE

ANNUAL VOLUNTEER DINNER ATTENDED BY 250

BOYNTON BEACH -- Caridad Center depends on its volunteers—more than 400 doctors, dentists, ophthalmologists and support technicians, without whom the clinic could not open its doors. 

A highlight of the 24th annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner honored a trio of professionals for 20 years of continuous service at the Boynton Beach clinic.

Dr. Violeta B. Chiong, a Boca Raton gynecologist, Dr. Charles J. Simon, DDS, of Lantana, and Rosa Pedroso, an interpreter, of Boynton Beach, were cited by 250 fellow volunteers and Caridad Center staff for their outstanding support for the underserved of Palm Beach County. 

“This trio has set a standard for service to our community,” said Connie Berry, board chair and co-founder of Caridad Center with the late Caridad Asensio. “Caridad is now the largest clinic of its type in Florida, in large measure because of the support of our dedicated active and retired professionals.” 

Caridad’s utilization of professional volunteers, clinical students and skilled community volunteers has forged an effective coalition for the holistic care for the most vulnerable in our community – the working poor. Last year, the patients themselves donated $89,211 program service fees to assist with their care. Physicians, dentists ophthalmologists and allied health professionals donated $2.5 million in uncompensated care for 24,460 patient visits.

Recently, Caridad introduced a community-based approach to the prevention, education and treatment of chronic diseases in children and adults. Caridad’s approach saved Palm Beach County taxpayers $4 million annually by diverting the uninsured working poor from hospital emergency rooms.

Caridad removes barriers – cultural, linguistic, and monetary – that block access to care. And, it provides an intergenerational program – a place where professionals continue to come forward to provide for those in need.

Honored for 20 years of service at the annual Caridad Volunteer Recognition dinner were Dr. Violeta Chiong, gynecology, Boca Raton, Dr. Charles J Simon, dentist,          Lantana ,Rosa Pedroso interpreter, Boynton Beach. 

The venue was Palm Beach, as current and future friends of Caridad Center gathered to hear Dr. Timothy Johnson, academic, pastor, physician and Senior Medical Contributor for ABC News celebrate the 100^th anniversary of medical missionary Dr. Albert Schweitzer and  how volunteering  benefits the community. To see Shiny Sheet photos of the party click www. shinyshots.palmbeachdailynews.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=1628797&CategoryID=48024&ListSubAlbums=0.

New Board member and volunteer Dr. Jon Strasswimmer is featured in an article in the Shiny Sheet. He thinks Caridad Center volunteers are "doers" and that is why he enjoys his role . Read the article at http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/news/national/doc-helps-caridad-because-theyre-doers/nWyWw/

The Caridad Center Prevention, Education and Treatment program (PET) is offering a free course or six free Diabetes Self-Management workshops at the Mid County Senior Center, 3680 Lake Worth road, Palm Springs, FL 33461, April 5 to May 10 from 9.30 AM to Noon each session .

Topics covered at the workshops include: becoming a self-manager, understanding common symptoms, using your mind to manage symptoms, exercise for fun and fitness, exercise tips for those with specific chronic conditions, communicating, eating well and managing medicines.

Workshops sessions are limited to 15 people.

Free refreshments and raffles at each workshop.

For more information call Luz smith, 561-853-1633.

Visit the Caridad web site www.caridad.org other programs.