Nichols Community Health Center to serve rising Collier population

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FILE: Construction near completion at new community health care center. (Credit: WINK News/FILE)
FILE: Construction near completion at new community health care center. (Credit: WINK News/FILE)

The population in Collier County is expected to double in the next 20 years, putting added pressure on health care systems.

Basic medical care, dental care, a drive-through pharmacy and behavioral health for kids: those are just some of the services that will be offered at a new health care facility in Golden Gate.

The final beam is bolted in place at the top of the new Nichols Community Health Center Wednesday morning.

Blanca Vasquez grew up in Golden Gate. Now, she works in Southwest Florida. She knows firsthand how urgent the need for affordable health care is in the area.

“It’s going to be like a Godsend – it’s amazing,” Vasquez said. “When I was growing up, it was hard to find a primary care facility.”

But, this project is making progress toward meeting that need.

Mike Ellis, CEO of the Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida, said it would serve people who are vital to the functioning in the community.

“These are the people who are firemen, nurses, teachers, roofers,” Ellis said.

Despite living six miles from one of the wealthiest zip codes in the country, the people of Golden Gate are some of the most underserved when it comes to health care.

The most recent health department data shows two out of 10 adults in Collier County could not see a doctor in the past year due to the cost.

The new facility is named for Jerry Nichols, who is a significant donor in the project.

“If you can give children good dental care and good medical care,” Nichols said, “then they have the chance to compete, perform and realize what opportunities are available.”

That helps families make ends meet for the next generation. If all goes as planned, they are on track to open in the spring of 2020 and start welcoming patients from this community. It is an idea Vasquez supports.

“Having affordable healthcare is like a dream come true,” Vasquez said. “Having that for them to work with people with their health insurance.”

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