|
|
Welcome to the June issue of The Wellness Corner - the e-newsletter for our community of advocates and enthusiasts - from Big Bend Cares and Care Point Health & Wellness Center.
In this issue, we kick off our celebration of our 40th Anniversary; remind everyone about Artopia later this month; share about the upcoming Beer Fest; acknowledge our CEO's 20th Anniversary; welcome in our new Chief Medical Officer; highlight some upcoming awareness days; and share other ways you can support our mission.
Every day, Big Bend Cares and Care Point continue to provide essential assistance and quality health care to those we serve in the Tallahassee and Big Bend area (Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Taylor and Wakulla counties). Our services include free HIV and STD testing, primary health care, dental care, lab work, sexual health education, courtesy transportation services, home-delivered meals, co-pay assistance for medications, and case management services.
These services wouldn't be possible without your generous donations, support, and contributions. To you reading this newsletter- thank you for helping us provide health care and much more to those in need - we appreciate you!
Thank you for reading!
| |
Amy Thorn
Board President
Big Bend Cares
Care Point Health & Wellness Center
|
| | | Big Bend Cares Celebrates 40 Years | | |
|
For 40 years, we’ve walked alongside thousands of people on their journey to wellness. To honor this milestone, we will be sharing 40 stories—from clients, staff, volunteers, and partners—who’ve helped shape our mission of advancing HIV services and sexual health for all.
These stories will reflect the courage of community, the power of compassionate care, and the progress we’ve all made together.
Community is more than just those affected by HIV—it’s reflective of business owners and new families, college students and politicians across all 8 counties of Area 2B—Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Franklin, Taylor, and Wakulla—community reflects the advocates, loved ones, caretakers, and others seeking awareness—YOU are community.
As the lead HIV/AIDS Service organization in the region, we are the bridge for anyone receiving a diagnosis anywhere in Area 2B. And as medicine has triumphed new ways to live with HIV, we’re grateful to say HIV is no longer a death sentence. But our work doesn’t stop here, as our clients face the rest of their lives in need of support.
Join us in celebrating 40 Years of Hope. A Lifetime of Care.
| | |
Upcoming 40th Anniversary Events
June 10, 2025 – Leon County Commission Proclamation Presentation
- 3PM – Proclamation Presentation (301 S. Monroe Street, 5th Floor)
June 11, 2025 – City of Tallahassee Commission Proclamation Presentation
- 3PM – Proclamation Presentation (300 S. Adams Street, 2nd Floor)
June 28, 2025 – Artopia
If you have photos or stories to submit to commemorate our rich history, please email Amber R. Tynan at atynan@bigbendcares.org.
| | We're less than a month out from Artopia! Thank to all who have been donating and spreading the word. Reminder that Artopia is Saturday, June 28th at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center and we're still selling tickets, accepting art donations, and looking for volunteers! | | |
Donation Details:
- We love original works, but you do not need to be the artist
- We accept all mediums
- Donors will receive a free General Admission ticket ($25 value) for each piece donated, up to three
- Original works submitted by Wednesday, June 18th will be juried for cash prizes
- Donors can receive a tax benefit for their donation
Click the buttons below to either donate art or buy tickets.
| | If you know anyone that would like to volunteer, we have shifts on the day of Artopia from setup at 8am, to cleanup after the event at 9pm. We need many hands to help run the event, so any assistance for a shift is much appreciated! Sign up with the button below. |
| Tallahassee Beer Festival | | Tallahassee Beer Festival is back and tickets are going fast! Join us this August 8-9 for a taste of the region's best brews, all under one roof to beat the heat. Funds raised at Beer Fest will support the work of UPHS and it's partner orgs - like us! VIP tickets have already sold out, but you can still get in on the action by clicking the button below: | | The best way to help Big Bend Cares out directly is by using our special code BBC at checkout, which gives us a portion of the ticket sale! Just click the unlock button when you make it to the Ticketmaster page. | | |
Rob Renzi Celebrates 20 Years as CEO | |
We invite everyone in our community to take a moment to recognize and celebrate Rob Renzi as he observes his 20th anniversary with Big Bend Cares this year. He has been integral to our success and growth over his tenure, as well as the visionary behind bringing Care Point Health & Wellness to fruition and prioritizing patient-centered care.
Thank you, Rob, for your commitment to our clients, community, and organization the last 20 years! We will officially celebrate his legacy and impending retirement on September 30th.
Mazel Tov, and congratulations 🎉
-Amber R. Tynan
|
Welcome to Dr. Crystal Jones, Our New Chief Medical Officer | |
Care Point Health & Wellness Announces Dr. Crystal Jones as Chief Medical Officer and Dr. Jonathan Applebaum’s Retirement
Care Point Health & Wellness, an innovator delivering one-stop medical care services, is pleased to announce that Crystal Jones, M.D., M.P.H., has joined as Chief Medical Officer (CMO), effective June 23, 2025.
Dr. Jones brings extensive clinical and executive leadership experience to Care Point and most recently served as Site Medical Director at the Leon County Detention Center. She earned her M.D. from Michigan State University and completed her internal medicine residency at Wayne State University. In addition, Dr. Jones earned her Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan and completed a residency in Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
In her new role, Dr. Jones will oversee clinical strategy, medical affairs, and the advancement of Care Point’s patient-centered mission. Dr. Jones expressed her enthusiasm about joining Care Point, stating, “I am thrilled to join Care Point Health & Wellness and help drive its mission of delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. I look forward to working with our dedicated providers and clinical team to advance clinical excellence, improve access, and deliver amazing outcomes for the communities we serve.”
After serving as Medical Director since Care Point’s opening in 2017, Dr. Jonathan Appelbaum announced his retirement, effective May 13, 2025. In a letter to clients, he shared, “…while I'm excited to embark on this new chapter, I'll also miss serving all of you and being a part of your lives. Thank you for your trust and support over the years. I wish you all the best in your health and happiness."
Care Point Health and Wellness is open to everyone and has a deep-rooted philosophy of caring for the whole person. With an easily accessible location in the heart of Tallahassee’s South City, everyone can receive comprehensive services in this truly one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art facility.
For anyone looking for a medical home or interested in receiving care at Care Point Health and Wellness Center, please contact Care Point at (850) 354-8765 to schedule an appointment with one of our highly skilled providers.
|
| HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day and National HIV Testing Day | | | June 5 is HIV Long-Term Survivors Awareness Day. First observed in 2014, this awareness day honors long-term survivors of HIV, highlights the challenges they face, and provides an opportunity to advocate for resources to meet their particular needs. |
|  | June 27 is National HIV Testing Day. According to the CDC, approximately 13% of people living with HIV don't know they have the virus. This awareness day serves as a reminder to people of all ages to learn the facts about HIV and get tested for the virus. |
| | | |
Zero HIV Stigma Day is July 21. This awareness day spearheads a movement that highlights the detrimental impacts of HIV-related stigma around the world and promotes ways to take action against it. | | | Givers Every Month (GEM) Club | | |
Last year, over 3,730 no cost food bags were given to our clients in Tallahassee and the Big Bend facing food insecurity because of our GEM Club members.
And GEM Club members make it possible for us to provide FREE comprehensive health care to our uninsured patients, with no sliding fee scale.
What is a GEM Club member?
It’s you and me - neighbors helping neighbors. GEM (Givers Every Month) Club members donate monthly and 100% of their gifts go towards food and health care for our neighbors in need. Want to become a GEM Club member and help us serve others? Click the button below:
| | Take a Tour of Care Point Today! | | |
Ever wonder what happens beyond the closed doors of Care Point?
Sign up for a guided tour today and witness a behind-the-scenes view of “the 27,000 square feet of awesomeness!” including the 10 patient exam rooms, lab, x-ray facility, and dental wing.
For details and to reserve a space on the next tour, please email lgallo@bigbendcares.org
|
|
|
We hope you enjoyed the June 2025 issue of The Wellness Corner. If you have questions or want more information about any of the topics covered, please email ssmallwood@bigbendcares.org or call (850) 656-2437 ext. 224. |
| | | |
Big Bend Cares, Inc. / Care Point Health & Wellness Center is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), federal tax-exempt organization. All donations are deemed tax-deductible.
FEIN: 59-2816580
| | | | |
