New Year, New Beginnings

Just like that, 2022 is a wrap and 2023 is already moving right along. As the song goes, “Another year over – a new one just begun.”

On behalf of the Clinic’s board and the entire Clinic team, we couldn’t be prouder of the tremendous progress we made in yet another year of unprecedented challenges. At a time when staff shortages are choking the U.S. healthcare system, the Clinic is staffed like never before. Today, we have three primary care physicians board-certified in emergency medicine, family practice and internal medicine. We’ve expanded our nursing staff to three RNs, an LPN and two medical assistants. A radiology tech is a new addition to our clinical team as we resumed medical imaging services at the Clinic.

We’ve come a long way from an Island with a weekly visit from a mainland doctor. The Clinic now sees about 6,500 patients a year. Last year alone, we performed more than 1,100 COVID-19 tests, administered 772 COVID-19 boosters and provided 250 flu shots – all on the Island. Over the last 2.5 years, that’s almost 4,600 COVID-19 tests, 4,860 COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters and almost 800 flu shots. The Clinic’s new testing machine allows us to perform a four-in-one rapid test to detect SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A, Influenza B and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) on premise. It’s a simple nasal swab and test results are available in under 40 minutes. And now that we have imaging services back up and running, so far 80 patients were able to get x-rays at the Clinic instead of having to drive off-island.

We took all of last year to honor our history of 75 years of service to the Island and we marked the occasion with a special anniversary logo and an updated website with historical features and a timeline of key milestones over the years.

I want to thank all of you who helped us celebrate the Clinic’s 75th anniversary. Even though Omicron and Hurricane Ian postponed (and canceled) some of our events, we were able to pay tribute to our history with a grand flag-raising ceremony at the fire station and through a series of historical postcards sent to your Island post office box. We also kicked off a Secrets to Longevity video series where Boca Grande’s nonagenarians share their secrets to living into their nineties. You can view the postcards and videos and other historical information on our website at 75 Years and Counting.

A new year is a good time for new beginnings, and you may notice that we started the year with a new Clinic logo. It retains the upbeat, fresh island colors of our anniversary logo. It also features the fountain that graces the Clinic courtyard, a gift from the community and often thought to be a symbol of happiness and love.

The team at Boca Grande Health Clinic welcomed 2023 with fresh hope and optimism as we enter a new phase of commitment – reinforcing our mission and values and setting a vision for a bright future. As part of the Clinic’s long-term strategic plan, we are exploring opportunities to renovate, upgrade and expand our facilities to better meet current and future patient and Island needs for expanded primary and urgent care services.

Every January begins with a burst of energy – and for many, a laundry list of resolutions. (Exercise more, eat healthier, lose weight and save more money are the top four most common New Year’s resolutions.) Sadly, most people ditch their resolutions, many before even the first or second month of the new year.

At Boca Grande Health Clinic, we prefer to focus instead on our commitments to our patients. We provide proactive, collaborative and preventive care to keep you healthy, so you can spend more time living your best life. While we work hard to have a terrific team of exceptional caregivers, we think that you are the most important member of your healthcare team. You are the reason we’re here and it’s our privilege to serve you. With that in mind, I leave you with the Clinic’s Promise as your healthcare partner. 

As dedicated partners on your path to better health, we promise to . . .

As the renowned author C.S. Lewis tells us, “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start today and change the ending.” We eagerly look forward to another exciting year ahead and to seeing you at the Clinic or around town.

Cheers,

Mark Driscoll

Chief Executive Officer, Boca Grande Health Clinic

About the Author

Mark Driscoll

Chief Executive Officer

Mark began leading the Clinic’s operations in July 2020. He brings with him more than 30 years of healthcare experience in service line administration, practice management, managed care, and business development. His strengths as an entrepreneurial-minded, financially grounded executive with strong performance and achievement drive and exceptional team-building skills are invaluable in his role as […]