Collaborator of the Month: Heart of Florida Health Center

This month, the Marion County Hospital District is proud to recognize Heart of Florida Health Center, a longtime community partner helping expand access to quality healthcare throughout Marion County. At the heart of this partnership is a shared commitment to ensuring residents can get the care they need, regardless of their circumstances. Through MCHD funding, Heart of Florida is able to leverage additional healthcare dollars for Marion County, expand dental services for adults and bring primary care directly to individuals receiving services at Beacon Point.

Leveraging Local Dollars to Bring More Healthcare Funding to Marion County

One of MCHD’s most significant investments in Heart of Florida Health Center is providing matching funds for the Low Income Pool (LIP) program. This funding is especially valuable because MCHD’s local investment helps Heart of Florida access additional funding that can be used to provide healthcare to uninsured and underserved residents. Rather than stopping with the dollars invested locally, the match allows those funds to go further and bring additional healthcare resources into Marion County. The result is a greater investment in local healthcare and expanded access to services for residents who may otherwise struggle to receive the care they need.

Expanding Adult Dental Care

MCHD also provides funding for a dentist at Heart of Florida Health Center, increasing the availability of dental services for adult patients. Access to dental care is an important part of overall health, yet cost and availability can make it difficult for many adults to receive routine or necessary treatment. By helping fund additional dental capacity, MCHD and Heart of Florida are working together to close that gap and give more Marion County residents access to oral healthcare. Heart of Florida provides adult dental services ranging from exams, X-rays and cleanings to fillings, extractions and emergency dental care.

Bringing Primary Care to Beacon Point

The partnership also brings primary care directly to Beacon Point. Through MCHD funding, a Heart of Florida primary care provider offers services at Beacon Point once a week, giving individuals receiving behavioral health and substance use services on the campus convenient access to medical care as well. Having these services available in the same location helps address health needs more comprehensively. Instead of requiring individuals to navigate multiple providers and locations, Beacon Point brings critical services together and makes primary care part of a broader approach to health and recovery.

Increasing Access Where It Matters Most

These investments demonstrate the power of collaboration. Whether MCHD is leveraging local dollars to bring additional funding into Marion County, increasing access to adult dental care or placing primary care directly at Beacon Point, each initiative is focused on removing barriers to healthcare. Heart of Florida Health Center provides primary medical, dental, behavioral health and other services to residents throughout the community, including people who may face financial or insurance-related barriers to care. Together, MCHD and Heart of Florida are helping create a stronger community healthcare network and making it easier for Marion County residents to receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

A Partnership for a Healthier Marion County

Improving community health requires more than treating illness. It requires investing strategically in access, prevention and partnerships that allow resources to reach more people. MCHD is proud to partner with Heart of Florida Health Center to expand access to care and maximize the resources available to Marion County. From leveraging additional healthcare funding to expanding dental and primary care services, this partnership is helping build a healthier community for everyone. To learn more about MCHD and the programs and organizations we support throughout Marion County, visit mchdt.org.