Pierson celebrates Medical Center

BEACON PHOTO/PAT HATFIELD
Continuing the tradition — Dr. Daniel Negrete and his wife, Carolyn, at left, check out the new Pierson Medical Center. Dr. Negrete is retired from private practice, but has been working at the old Pierson clinic and volunteering at Good Samaritan Health Clinic in DeLand.

BEACON PHOTOS/PAT HATFIELD
Talking shop — New Volusia County Health Department Director Dr. Bonita “Bonnie” J. Sorensen talks with Northeast Florida Health Services Chairman Howard McBride at the opening of the Pierson Medical Center. .

BEACON PHOTOS/PAT HATFIELD
Greeting guests— Northeast Florida Health Services Director Dr. Kathy Wilkes greets guests at the opening celebration.

BEACON PHOTO/PAT HATFIELD
He’s seen it all — Dr. Donald Smith gets an ovation from the crowd, just after the announcement that the new Pierson Medical Center building will be named for him. For many years, Smith was the only physician in Northwest Volusia, where he has practiced for 33 of his 57 years in medicine. Those attending the clinic opening guessed that Smith has treated everyone in Pierson at one time or another.

By Pat Hatfield
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Aug 17, 2009 - 9:25:26am

Just about everybody in Pierson showed up Aug. 10 to celebrate the opening of a new medical clinic.

City officials, fern growers, West Volusia Hospital Authority board members, corporate sponsors such as Covidien, well-wishers and new Volusia County Health Department Director Dr. Bonita “Bonnie” J. Sorensen were there.

The Pierson Family Restaurant staff proudly oversaw a lavish spread of food offered for the occasion.

The Pierson Medical Center, at 216 N. Frederick St., will provide low- or no-cost medical care to people who don’t have insurance. Opening it took several years’ work.

Northeast Florida Health Services is operating the clinic. Dr. Kathy Wilkes is Northeast’s new director.

She will oversee the Pierson clinic and the company’s clinics in DeLand and Deltona.

Working in West Volusia is a Florida homecoming for Wilkes. She worked in Jacksonville for seven years before moving to Iowa, where she directed a medical clinic.

Now that the Pierson clinic is open, Wilkes said, getting DeLand a larger facility is the next big goal.

Aug. 10 was Pierson’s night, however. Visitors toured the 4,100-square-foot facility, with its nine gleaming exam rooms. The old facility on North Volusia Avenue in Pierson had only 2,100 square feet.

Dr. Ejaz Ahmed is the chief medical director at Pierson.

Honoring Dr. Smith

Howard McBride, chairman of the clinic’s board of directors, welcomed everyone for a tour. He announced the building will be named for and dedicated to Dr. Donald Smith, longtime physician in Northwest Volusia.

Old-timers said, for many years, Smith was the only doctor around. Just about everyone in Pierson has seen Smith for medical needs at one time or another.

McBride’s voice broke as he spoke of Smith taking care of his parents. Smith told The Beacon he’s been practicing in West Volusia for 33 of his 57 years in medicine, after moving here from Michigan.

No one will be turned away

Wilkes said the new clinic will take all patients.

Treatment at any of Northeast’s three clinics in Pierson, DeLand and Deltona is free for people who meet the income requirements. To get free care, a person’s income must be 120 percent of the federal poverty level, or less. Free care is provided to anyone who has a “blue” health-services card from the West Volusia Hospital Authority.

Other patients pay on a sliding scale.

Qualification can be done at the clinic. Patients should bring proof of income.

The staff prefers patients to call ahead, but walk-ins will be seen.

The clinic is open 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday. To make an appointment or get more information, call the Pierson clinic at (386) 749-9449.

The DeLand clinic is at 844 W. Plymouth Ave. Call (386) 738-2422. The Deltona clinic is at 2160 Howland Blvd., Suite 110. Call (386) 532-0515.

Addendum: Christina Lishen, a West Volusia Hospital Authority representative, noted all the "blue" cards were replaced with new health cards in May. She noted the new cards are white.

— pat@beacononlinenews.com

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