The We Care Foundation of Indian River County had much to celebrate last Monday evening at the third annual Mardi Gras Celebration at the Oak Harbor Club, and they did it in true New Orleans style.
At the behest of her co-chair counterpart Eileen O’Donnell, Hala Laviolette became part of the “Krewe” last year. She said the more she learned about the work being done at We Care, the more involved she became.
We Care was founded by Dr. Dennis Saver in 1991 as a way to provide free healthcare for individuals without insurance. Since its inception, nearly $14 million in services has been provided by more than 130 volunteer physicians and medical professionals who donate their talents.
“I admire that Dr. Saver had the foresight to create We Care all those years ago. This is one area that makes a huge impact. Healthy people are people that can be in our workforce and contribute to society,” said Laviolette.
At Monday’s revelry, more than 250 guests strolled down Bourbon Street, greeted with beads, masks and Sazerac, America’s first cocktail, created in New Orleans in 1838. Partygoers also perused silent-auction items and feasted on a New Orleans-style smorgasbord that included shrimp po’ boys, crawfish étouffée, hush puppies, andouille sausage, oysters on the half-shell and shrimp.
No self-respecting Three Kings Day event would be complete without sweets, and bananas Foster, Bourbon Street deconstructed pecan pie shooters and post-celebration digestifs complemented the dinner offerings.
The Jammin’ Jambalaya Band kept things lively as guests played blackjack, roulette, slots and other casino games with funny money, later cashing in chips for a chance at vacation packages and a King Cake.
Accompanied by “When the Saints Go Marching In,” a parade of We Care oncology doctors was introduced as the “Saints of Indian River County,” giving new meaning to the traditional Fat Tuesday music.
“When a cancer doctor takes on a patient, it’s a five-year commitment and you get no return from it,” said Laviolette. “The least I can do is help to make sure that we can cover whatever the cancer patients need outside of what the doctors can provide.”
“There are still about 14,000 residents in our county who fall through the cracks, who are too poor for health insurance discounts, but not eligible for Florida Medicaid. Their access to care is limited,” said Saver. “We Care is no gamble. This is an investment in our own infrastructure. Our backlog is decreasing and more patients are being helped. We improve care, decrease re-admissions and save taxpayer dollars.”
Shelley Stuven, executive director of the Indian River County Medical Society and the We Care Foundation, said funds raised that evening will support the ancillary expenses of the We Care program, such as transportation to medical appointments, special surgical supplies, surgery center expenses and cataract lenses.
The We Care Clinic, now opened five days per week, added Dr. Herman Fountain as a full-time physician and has increased access for indigent patients discharged from the hospital. The clinic has also seen an increase in the number of subspecialty referrals, offering podiatry, neurology, non-operative orthopedics and dermatology.
“Funds raised from the Sea Oaks’ 14th annual Dick Knoll Charity Golf Tournament and a $70,000 grant from the State of Florida will cover the salary for our part-time eligibility specialist and a social worker,” added Stuven.
Saver closed by sharing a quote from Dr. Albert Schweitzer, “Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Even if it’s a little thing, do something for those that need help, something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it.”
