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Edward Waters Opens Health Clinic to Serve Campus and Community

EWC’s Schell Sweet Community Health Clinic grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Pictured from Left to Right: Florida Representative Mia Jones, District 13; Florida Senator Audrey Gibson, District 9; Patricia Medlock, Interim Northeast Regional Managing Director for the Department of Children and Families, Vicki Abrams, Assistant Secretary of Operations for the Department of Children and Families; Larry West, Vice President of Case Management for Family Support Services of North Florida; Dr. John Assi, Clinic Director; Marie Heath, Director of the Schell Sweet Community Resource Center; Marybeth Tita, Chief Financial Officer for United Healthcare
Edward Waters College (EWC), the City of Jacksonville, FL and the Department of Families and Children came together Wednesday, September 30th to celebrate the grand opening of the Schell Sweet Community Health Clinic. The clinic will serve EWC faculty, staff, and students; as well as the surrounding community.

“We are delighted to open this clinic and be able to offer medical care in addition to the many services that are already available through the Schell Sweet Community Resource Center,” said Schell Sweet Community Resource Center Director, Marie Heath.

The grand opening ceremony included a program, ribbon-cutting, clinic tours and a reception. Speakers included City of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, EWC Vice President Dr. Anna Hammond, Paul DiLorenzo of Casey Family Programs and Clinic Director Dr. John Assi.

“This clinic is important to our entire community, since so many children and families are facing health challenges because of lack of transportation and lack of income,” said Department of Children and Families Interim Regional Director Pattie Medlock. “A large number of people in this area have either been going to an emergency room for treatment, which costs both them and our community significantly more money, or deferring health care entirely. We predict the Schell Sweet Community Health Clinic will significantly improve the health of the people in these neighborhoods. As a result, those neighborhoods will be stronger.”

The 4,600 square foot facility includes a reception area, seven exam rooms, a laboratory, conference room and two doctor offices. The Schell Sweet Community Resource Center at EWC has provided senior wellness programs and services to the Jacksonville community since 1999. Through unique partnerships with more than 25 service providers and the City of Jacksonville more than 10,000 people have been assisted annually through this community center.

About Edward Waters College

Edward Waters College (EWC), accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges, and Schools (SACS) and member of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), is a private, historically black, urban college which offers a liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on the Christian principles of high moral and spiritual values. EWC was established in 1866 and is an African Methodist Episcopal Church-related institution of learning. It is the oldest private institution of higher education in the State of Florida.