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NOMINEE’S STORY: As a physician and surgeon, Dr. Robert Yelverton found himself in a unique position to share his talents with the community to help those who are medically underserved. For over 35 years, he has served the Tampa Bay area as a gynecologist. For much of that time, Dr. Yelverton has been a volunteer physician for the Judeo Christian Health Clinic. Since he began his work with the Clinic he has been instrumental in establishing the first gynecological Program for the Clinic which provides services to women in Tampa Bay who are uninsured and have very little income. He has also served as a surgeon when needed and prior to his retirement in 2003 provided these services out of his private practice offices. Dr. Yelverton has served on the Judeo Christian Health Clinic’s Board of Directors since 2002. As an active board member, he recruits physicians, consults on risk management and clinic protocol. He continues to expand upon his vital role by chairing a new agency endeavor, the 2010 Partnership Development Committee. As a direct result of Dr. Yelverton’s recruitment activities for the Clinic, there are currently over 30 gynecology physicians that rotate through the Clinic, some of whom also provide surgical services. Through his efforts these volunteers have been able to provide close to 500 pap smears, approximately 48 colposcopies, and 35 surgeries, all performed free of charge through the Judeo Christian Health GYN clinic. Dr. Yelverton’s service in the community continues through his past and current involvement in numerous local community organizations including United Way, Junior League, March of Dimes, Berkeley Preparatory School and Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County. As CEO and Medical Director of Women’s Care Florida, he provides practical knowledge of a large working medical practice and an invaluable point of view on medical topics, liability issues and standards of care protocol. Dr. Yelverton’s spirit for giving is evident, not only through his own actions, but through the people that he works with on a day to day basis. His willingness to give is infectious, and creates a feeling of good will amongst the providers who come to the Clinic. He has a genuine character and feels a responsibility to provide excellent care for the patients of the Clinic. His dedication, ambition and loyalty help to drive one of the largest needs of the Clinic, women’s healthcare. The Judeo Christian Health Clinic is a better place because of his spirit for volunteerism, compassion, influence, knowledge, and willingness to serve the working poor of our community. Nominated by: Kelly Bell, Executive Director, Judeo Christian Health Clinic.November 2010 Volunteer For Health Award Winner – Pinellas County NOMINEE’S STORY: Mrs. Evelyn C. Gardner has been in community service for over 25 years in Pinellas County and the City of St. Petersburg. She is one of the co-founders of the St. Petersburg Chapter, National Black Nurses Association, Inc. an organization founded in 1989 and chartered in 1991. Under her leadership as the first president of the organization (1989 to 1994), the organization obtained their 501(C)(3) and CE Broker status; the financial status of the organization greatly increased; and the association gained high visibility in the City of St. Petersburg as well as in Pinellas County. She was also chosen as the agency’s Community Liaison Advisor in 2004 because of her vast knowledge of the community and her excellent management skills. Mrs. Gardner has spearheaded many programs and events that are still thriving in the community. She is one of the initial Board of Director members for The Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Centers, Inc. which she served for 13 years; was one of the grassroot members of Churches United for a Healthy Congregation (CUFHC); and assisted in starting one of the major annual health events in St. Petersburg - The African American Health Forum, which celebrated its 13 year anniversary in November 2010. Mrs. Gardner is also the co-founder of the Midtown Health Council, composed of health providers and agencies. After retiring from Bayfront Medical Center after 25 years, Mrs. Gardner became the chairperson of the practical nursing department at Pinellas Technical Education Center, serving in this capacity for 18 years. Here she was instrumental in setting up the graduation format, pinning ceremonies for nursing students and establishing the curriculum for the refresher-remediation class. In large part to her involvement and education of student nurses, she was a recipient of the “2007 Outstanding Teacher in the Community” service award, 2003 Soroptomist International Women of Distinction Award and nominated for a 2003 Ameri-Group Healthy Hero Award. Over the years, Mrs. Gardner has become more politically involved and organized her community around a variety of issues including a Senate bill on licensure. Additional community health needs that have been addressed by Mrs. Gardner’s efforts include unequal health care for low economic individuals and minorities; health care costs; prescription costs; employment for nurses; housing for low income individuals; working with caregivers; increasing nursing education for individuals; and neighborhood watch. As a result of her service, many individuals have acquired jobs, increased their job outlook, and reduced stress factors in dealing with ill family members. Mrs. Gardner displays visionary leadership skills, energy and enthusiasm at all times. She believes in helping, coaching, moving, or steering a person or community in a positive light in order to gain a positive outcome. She is sensitive to the needs of others and effectively handles each problem in a unique way. Mrs. Gardner displays a high level of personal integrity and ethics. Whenever approached with any idea for the community, she is willing to take responsibility and to see the idea become reality. Mrs. Gardner has - and will always have - a strong commitment to family, friends, and the community. Nominated by: Janie Johnson, President, St. Petersburg Chapter, National Black Nurses Association, Inc.May 2010 – Hillsborough County Kay Weaver has been a dedicated supporter of the Brandon Outreach Clinic since its inception more than twenty years ago. She has served on the board as secretary for many years, and volunteered on Wednesday evenings while teaching school. Since her retirement from teaching five years ago, Kay has been in charge of the clerical volunteers, which requires her to show them all that is involved in day-to-day operations. She demonstrates great patience, especially while teaching computer techniques and working with a wide variety of people each day. The staff and patients all depend upon and admire her. Kay also does all of the ordering of clerical supplies for the clinic, volunteering three days a week – and sometimes four – when needed. She is also very active in her educational sorority. Kay is a great balancing force for all. She makes the patients feel welcomed and comforted. No job is too much, and she always pitches in when a need arises. Kay is a tremendous asset to the clinic; in short, she wears all hats, and our hats are off to this multi- and extremely talented lady! Nominated by: Nancy Goode, Volunteer, Brandon Outreach Clinic ).May 2010 – Pinellas County Dr. Geetha Kamath, St. Petersburg Free Clinic NOMINEE’S STORY: 
Dr. Geetha Kamath is a hematology and oncology specialist who has been practicing in St. Petersburg and Clearwater for over 30 years. She has always been active in social services, finding ways to give back to the community. Because of her leadership in the Pinellas County community, over 700 homeless people annually, including children, have access to medical and social services at “Project Homeless Connect”. “Project Homeless Connect” requires over 400 volunteers serving in a variety of capacities to offer services free of charge to the homeless in the community. Medical screenings, haircuts, massages, and other related services are available to attendees at this one day event. Dr. Kamath organizes the “Project Homeless Connect”, and receives enthusiastic responses to her annual request for volunteers. Her respect and compassion for all the people she serves permeates the spirit of the entire event, the result of more than nine months of planning with over seventy social service organizations. In addition to “Project Homeless Connect”, Dr. Kamath volunteers at the St. Petersburg Free Clinic. Seeing the need for uninsured individuals to have access to health care for the weekend, Dr. Kamath initiated the “Saturday Clinic”, and brings her team of four physicians and three nurses to the St. Petersburg Free Clinic Health Center one Saturday each month to provide access to about twenty patients who are medically uninsured. Dr. Kamath also contributes to the global community through her international travels. Every November, she spends two weeks in India, providing medical services to over one thousand patients. Recently, Dr. Kamath went to Haiti for one week for a medical camp serving many adults and children and was overwhelmed by the love and affection poured out by the people of Haiti. As a youth, Dr. Kamath and her family would visit Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who offered spiritual guidance to the family. She continues to this day to receive spiritual guidance from him. His quote and teaching “Love All, Serve All, Help Ever, Hurt Never” is evident in Dr. Kamath’s commitment to every individual she touches. Nominated by: Ronda Russick, St. Petersburg Free Clinic |
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Health is a primary public good that benefits families, communities, employers, businesses, and our country. The Tampa Bay Healthcare Collaborative believes that health care is a basic human right necessary for stable and productive communities.
Our Vision is to develop culturally competent healthcare organizations in the Tampa Bay area.
Our Volunteer Recruitment committee has developed the "I Can Help Now" program and we continue to build upon our awareness campaigns, which includes the final phase of this website. The collaborative is utilizing media created and designed by our committee. This program continues to attract medical professionals to our group of free clinics in the Tampa Bay area.
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