Central Florida Health Care, a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing comprehensive healthcare services to underserved and vulnerable populations in Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties, held a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting this week for its newest location in Frostproof, Florida.

The new clinic offers a range of high quality medical, dental, pharmacy, lab, and x-ray services to all local residents, including uninsured and under-insured patients. The former Frostproof location was outdated and no longer able to meet the need, and this new 9,400 square-foot building will continue services and expand the organization’s capacity to offer care to area residents.

At the ribbon cutting, CEO Ann Claussen pointed out that Central Florida Health Care was started in Frostproof in 1972 with one doctor and one nurse; and the organization now serves nearly 80,000 patients annually from 16 locations, including the new Frostproof clinic.

Central Florida Health Care Chief Medical Officer Dr. Cara Nelson-James also spoke at the event, and shared that this is “not just the opening of a new building, but opening the doors to access to healthcare” for so many who otherwise may not seek out the healthcare they need.

The construction of the new Frostproof location was made possible with financing through the New Markets Tax Credit program. Florida Community Loan Fund provided NMTC allocation for a transaction that included this location and and a second new building in Lakeland. This is FCLF’s second NMTC project with Central Florida Health Care through a partnership that dates back to 2015.

Learn more about Central Florida Health Care 
Learn more about FCLF and Central Florida Health Care