Non-profit Spotlight: The Haley Center
The Haley Center is a free healthcare clinic that provides services to individuals whose income is at, or below, 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
Opened on December 26, 2005, it is a faith-based outreach of the First Baptist Church of Winter Haven, located at 122 W. Central Avenue in downtown Winter Haven.
There are 21 physicians, 6 nurse practitioners, 6 nurses, and other healthcare professionals and administrative staff who volunteer to assure patients get quality care. Additionally, there is a part-time paid Nurse Practitioner Director and a part-time administrative assistant.
Dr. Cliff Threlkeld, the volunteer Medical Director since the Haley Center opened, devotes numerous hours treating patients and is very grateful for the wonderful volunteer medical people who give so much time to treating people who may not otherwise be able to obtain medical services.
In addition to primary care physicians, many physician specialists voluntarily help out when needed. Winter Haven Hospital staff and physicians have provided many tests and ancillary support services since the center opened, and Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center has been helpful as well.
Supplementing a stocked dispensary, mental health and educational services for chronic diseases, like diabetes, are available and encouraged for patients.
The Haley Center is currently the medical home to more than 800 active patients, and there are more than 2,000 patient visits per year. Since the center opened there have been 2,754 new patients cared for at the Haley Center.
The Center has an active dispensary with more than 3,600 prescriptions filled per year. The budget is around $150,000 a year and the majority of the operating funds come from the county’s half cent sales tax (the Polk Healthcare Plan). Several additional grants have been obtained and community members have made thoughtful donations.
The center is currently open for patients four days a week and the goal, to reach more patients in need, is to have it open five days a week, so fund raising initiatives are in place to meet the goal. Individuals interested in helping by volunteering or making a donation may contact the Clinic Director, Donna Armes at 863-299-6562 or HaleyCenter@gmail.com.