CCRHN Quarterly Newsletter | Fall 2023

RENOVATIONS COMING TO MARION E. FETHER MEDICAL CENTER IN IMMOKALEE

In 1993, Healthcare Network opened the Marion E. Fether (MEF) Medical Center in Immokalee to provide families with comprehensive primary care services. Since then, the building has remained untouched. Thirty years later, Healthcare Network will begin extensive renovations to the center in 2024. 

Currently, about 10,000 patients are seen every year at the center. When the renovations are complete, it will double the patient capacity at MEF.

Services at MEF include:

• adult and senior care
• dental care
• specialty services focused on HIV and infectious diseases
• in-house pharmacy. 

To minimize patient disruptions, the renovations on the 42,000-square-foot building will be done in phases and all practices will remain open. Check out the NBC2 news coverage on this exciting project here.

NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH

Addiction is a Community Matter

Phara Morame, behavioral health provider at Healthcare Network, was featured on ABC7 to discuss Healthcare Network's new Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program.

"Substance abuse disorder is a totally preventable and treatable condition. Every single year about 20% of Americans get diagnosed with a mental health disorder, and of that 20%, less than half receive adequate treatment," said Morame.

Drug addiction is a complicated issue, and quitting usually requires more than good intentions and strong will. Fortunately, programs like MAT can aid in recovery and enable people to lead fulfilling lives.

Healthcare Network is dedicated to improving substance-abuse treatment and currently offers MAT, with drugs approved by the FDA for the treatment of opioid dependency. These treatments, alongside counseling and psychological support, have been demonstrated to be safe and effective in helping with addiction.

If you or someone you know is currently battling an addiction, know that help is available. For more information on mental, behavioral and substance abuse services at

Healthcare Network, visit healthcareswfl.org or call 239.658.3000 to make an appointment.

COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENINGS

 "Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States"

Did you know that about 1 to 3 people in the US who should be tested for colorectal cancer have never been screened?

Colorectal cancer affects the colon or rectum. Most colorectal cancers start when a growth, called a polypus, starts to form and grow on the lining of the colon or rectum. Polyps can change into cancer over time (possibly over years), but not all polyps become cancerous.

A polyp can take between one to 10 years to develop into cancer; therefore, it's important to get regularly screened. Screenings are recommended to start at age 45 for people with an average risk of colorectal cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, there are two different types of screenings:

• Stool-based test: These tests are less invasive and check the stool for any signs of cancer. While they are less invasive, they must be taken more regularly. The fecal immunochemical test (FIT), guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) and stool DNA test fall under this category.

• Visual (structural) exam: These exams are typically done with a scope that is inserted into the rectum and looks at the colon and rectum for any abnormal areas. A colonoscopy, CT colonography and flexible sigmoidoscopy are considered visual exams.

Talk to your primary care provider to see which test is best for you. For more information, visit the American Cancer Society.

BIG BUS EVENT

Free Health Services for the Community

The Florida Department of Health-Collier is back with its annual Big Bus Event!

Individuals and families will be able to access free health services, information, food and more.

Make sure to mark your calendars for

November 4, 2023. This year, the event will take place at the Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch, located at 1215 Roberts Ave W, Immokalee, FL 34142.

Time: 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

For more information regarding the event, visit collier.flhealth.gov.

OCTOBER | AIDS/HIV AWARENESS MONTH

Getting Tested Helps Protect You and Others

An estimated 1.2 million people in the United States have HIV, including about 158,500 people who are unaware of their status.

Who should get tested?

The CDC recommends those between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once. Individuals who have certain risk factors should consider getting tested more than once a year.

Where to get tested?



• Naples: The DOH-Collier County will be offering free 15-minute rapid HIV and Hepatitis STD screenings on October 18 - 19 and December 6 - 7 in the Collier main office at 3339 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 145, Naples, FL 34112. Learn more here.

• Immokalee: Healthcare Network offers free HIV testing year-round. To schedule a confidential appointment, call 239.658.3000.

Where to get services?

As a recipient of the Ryan White Part C Program, Healthcare Network’s specialty department in Immokalee provides comprehensive primary healthcare and support services to low-income, uninsured and underserved individuals living with HIV/AIDS. This includes managing their treatment by providing access to medical care, nutrition, behavioral health and medications. For individuals living in Naples, DOH-Collier County offers free HIV services including case management, treatment adherence support, medication and housing assistance, and referrals as needed.

UNDERSTANDING ADHD

Licensed psychologist, Dr. Keenan Tamm from Healthcare Network's behavioral health team, explains what ADHD is, how it can affect children and how it is diagnosed in the October issue of

Neapolitan Family Magazine.

Dr. Tamm states, "ADHD occurs when a child's brain develops differently. This non-typical development causes children to have trouble deciding what they should pay attention to. More simply, people with ADHD have trouble focusing on one thing at a time."

While medication is not always needed or wanted, it is considered the gold standard in ADHD treatment. Therapy is also used to treat ADHD. A psychologist can teach children how to prioritize tasks, work on behavioral management and guide parents on how to work with their child's school on a treatment plan. Read the full article here. You can read the Spanish version of this article in El Mensajero Esencial (page 7).

You can also watch his ABC7 in-studio interview where he discussed what parents should know about ADHD here.

DEPRESSION IN SENIORS

Depression in Seniors is Often Overlooked



As we age, we may be at an increased risk for depression. Depression in seniors is a treatable medical condition and is not necessarily a normal part of getting older. Depression is not a character flaw. It is not a weakness or fault. Depression is an illness. We all experience sadness on different wavelengths, and that’s OK. But when those negative feelings interfere with our daily living, it’s time to address the issue. For seniors, detecting depression is harder because symptoms are often mistaken for reactions to life changes or chronic medical illnesses.

Healthcare Network's behavioral health director, Dr. Courtney Whitt, writes about why depression in seniors is overlooked and what you can do to lower your risk of depression on the Healthcare Network blog.