La historia de CFHC

Founded in 1972, Central Florida Health Care started responding to critical healthcare gaps identified by the agricultural community. A local citrus processing firm recognized the importance of adequate healthcare, social services, and childcare for farmworkers in Frostproof, Florida. The first clinic opened with a doctor and a nurse and began serving the farmworkers in the Frostproof community.

The organization now has 16 sites in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties, including one unique Community Partnership School located at Crystal Lake Elementary School in Lakeland. CFHC also has three mobile healthcare units to serve the most rural areas of the tri-county site.

Services include adult and pediatric medical and dental care, behavioral health, endocrinology, infectious disease, lab & x-ray, OB/GYN, optometry, nutritional counseling, pharmacy, podiatry, and rheumatology.

In addition, CFHC’s Community Health Centers offer quality patient-centered care for every stage of life. Onsite labs and full pharmacy services provide convenience for patients and busy families. Translation services are available for all languages, and specially trained Navigators (Community Health Workers) assist patients at no charge with everything from forms to transportation. These services ensure that access to health care is not a barrier to treatment.

In addition to providing healthcare services, CFHC partners with the United Way of Central Florida, The Freedom Tour, and Feeding Tampa Bay (FTB) with assistance from the George W. Jenkins End Hunger Initiative for its Feeding Hearts Food Distribution program. CFHC hosts food distribution events twice a month at nine different locations throughout Polk and Hardee Counties.

Staff members are the heart of Central Florida Health Care! The organization employs more than 600 full-time employees. Growth is due to proactive leadership initiated by CEO Ann Claussen, who came on board in 2014. With the assistance of a strong Senior Management Team, oversight by the Board of Directors, and dedicated staff, the organization reaches new benchmarks each year.

En 1973, Central Florida Health Care, Inc. fue reconocida como una organización exenta de impuestos 501(c)3. La organización recibe financiamiento de la HRSA (Administración de Recursos y Servicios de Salud), financiamiento local, reembolso de compañías de seguros y pago de pacientes que no tienen seguro y califican a través de una escala móvil de tarifas.

In 2023, CFHC provided care for more than 76,000 unique patients. Staff members take great pride in following the organization’s mission, vision, and overarching goal by seeking out those who need our services.

CFHC sigue dedicado a identificar subvenciones y oportunidades de financiamiento que respaldarán los esfuerzos actuales y ayudarán a expandir los servicios para la comunidad.