Premier Mobile Health Services brings essential care to medically vulnerable residents across Southwest Florida and welcomes walk-ins at its mobile clinic locations. The clinic also operates several days each week in Fort Myers by appointment.

Where can I get walk-in health screenings near me this month?

You can get walk-in health screenings at Premier Mobile Health Services’ mobile clinic stops across Collier and Lee Counties, including Naples, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers, and Immokalee. Pick the closest stop and plan to arrive early during clinic hours for check-in and screening.

• Walk-ins are welcome at the February mobile clinic stops listed below.
• Bring an ID if you have one and a list of your current medications.
• If you have prior lab results or discharge paperwork, bring copies.
• If you or your child has severe symptoms, consider urgent or emergency care.

February mobile medical clinic schedule

East Naples United Methodist Church
Tuesday, Feb. 3 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
2701 Airport Road, Naples

Café of Life
Tuesday, Feb. 10 and Tuesday, Feb. 24 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
26724 Nomad Drive, Bonita Springs

Baptist Church Fort Myers Beach
Wednesday, Feb. 11 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
130 Connecticut St., Fort Myers Beach

Pine Manor Community Center
Thursday, Feb. 12 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
5547 10th Ave., Fort Myers

Our Lady of Guadalupe Community Church
Saturday, Feb. 14 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
207 South 9th St., Immokalee

Gladiolus Food Pantry
Wednesday, Feb. 18 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
10511 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers

Community Cooperative
Thursday, Feb. 19 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
3429 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Suite 4403, Fort Myers

Mahanaim SDA Church
Friday, Feb. 20 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
318 Sabal Palm Road, Naples

What screenings and services are offered at the mobile clinic?

Premier Mobile Health Services provides basic medical services and preventive care that can help you catch issues early. Use your visit to have key numbers checked (such as blood pressure or blood sugar) and ask what follow-up is recommended for your situation.

• Early-detection health screenings
• Blood pressure checks and diabetes checks
• Drug screenings
• Basic metabolic profiles
• Nutrition counseling
• Health education
• School and sports physicals for children
• Acute and chronic disease management

The mobile clinic includes an onsite pharmacy and a point-in-care laboratory for immediate analysis of test results. That can help you understand results during your visit and make a plan for next steps.

If you’re going for a child’s physical, bring any school or sports forms you’ve been given and your child’s health history if you have it.

How do free health screenings work for qualifying Florida residents?

Premier Mobile Health Services screenings are supported by the Florida Department of Health through the Cinotti Health Care Screening Grant Program and are provided at no cost to Florida residents who qualify under 200% of the Poverty Guidelines. Ask staff during your visit whether you qualify and which screenings are included.

• Screenings through this program include cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
• Scoliosis screening is available for children ages 11–19.
• Bring any paperwork you have that may help confirm eligibility.

If you’re unsure what to ask, write down questions about follow-up care, referrals, or next appointments before you arrive.

What should I bring to a walk-in screening visit?

A little preparation can help your visit go smoothly, especially if you’re managing a chronic condition or bringing your child for a physical. Bring the basics, then ask for clear next steps before you leave.

• A photo ID if you have one
• A list of medications (or the bottles)
• Any recent lab results or discharge paperwork
• Your child’s school or sports physical forms (if needed)
• Questions you want answered about follow-up care

After your visit, add any follow-up appointments or reminders to your calendar, and share this schedule with a friend or neighbor who may need care.

How do I schedule an appointment in Fort Myers?

The Mobile Medical Clinic also operates several days each week at Mount Hermon Ministries at 2856 Douglas Ave., Fort Myers. Appointments at this location can be scheduled by calling 239-222-1829. Call ahead to confirm the next available appointment day and ask what documents to bring.

• Mount Hermon Ministries: 2856 Douglas Ave., Fort Myers
• Appointments: 239-222-1829
• General information: 239-288-7949

For more local family resources, visit neafamily.com/health and explore community support options at neafamily.com/community.

What is Premier Mobile Health Services?

Premier Mobile Health Services is a nonprofit clinic that provides quality health care services to medically vulnerable residents and those most at risk of developing long-term illnesses and hospitalization. They offer preventive screenings, basic care, and chronic disease management through a mobile clinic model that brings services into the community. If you need ongoing care, ask during your visit how to schedule follow-ups and what services are available next.

• Mobile clinic with an onsite pharmacy and point-in-care lab
• Preventive screenings and basic medical services
• Community stops across Southwest Florida

To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 239-288-7949. Additional information and the monthly mobile clinic schedule can be found online at PremierMobileHealth.org.

The post Where to Get Free Walk-in Health Screenings in Collier and Lee Counties in February 2026 appeared first on SWFL Family.

While emergency rooms are available 24/7 for serious conditions, they can be a costly and time-consuming choice for less urgent health issues. Urgent care centers also may mean a long wait time and extra expense. But walk-in clinics in Collier County can provide that timely care that is more convenient and less expensive than a visit to the emergency room or urgent care.

Locally, Healthcare Network offers Convenient Care walk-in clinics, which provide same-day appointments for minor health concerns. In addition, Healthcare Network recently launched a pilot clinic at Manatee Middle School for students.

The walk-in clinics are staffed by board-certified doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants who offer same-day care, for infants to the elderly, to treat common illnesses and minor injuries.

Faster and less expensive

Hospital emergency departments are equipped to manage complex or critical needs, including life-threatening situations, ranging from a heart attack to traumatic injuries from a car accident.

Accordingly, wait times in emergency rooms are based on severity of the medical problems, so less critical cases are expected to wait for treatment, sometimes for hours. In fact, some insurance plans charge an additional co-pay for emergency room visits that are not considered true medical emergencies.

Urgent care centers are often larger and offer more services than walk-in clinics and treat more serious conditions. Urgent care clinics can offer services like x-rays and CAT scans and can treat conditions like fractures, sprains, burns, and pneumonia.

Walk-in clinics help fill a gap for minor illnesses or injuries when you cannot wait for an appointment with your family doctor. They are designed to quickly address medical issues that are not considered emergencies, allowing emergency departments to focus on more serious medical cases.

In Naples and Immokalee, Healthcare Network’s Convenient Care, which functions as a walk-in clinic, addresses minor illnesses and provide health care services such as:

• Ear infections
• Colds or coughs
• Flu or flu-like symptoms
• Minor burns or rashes
• Minor allergic reactions
• Minor orthopedic injuries
• Flu shots
• School physicals
• Blood pressure checks

Making care convenient

At Manatee Middle School in Naples, Health Care Network has opened a school-based clinic to provide well-being exams and medical attention for students when they are sick, with parental permission.

The clinic, funded by the Naples Children & Education Foundation, founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, was selected based on lack of access to and distance from medical services for families. The Collier County School District is providing the space for the clinic, but no funding or personnel.

The pilot program will be evaluated for the potential addition of clinics at other CCPS schools.

Research shows that school-based clinics in low-income areas help improve health and academic performance. School clinics help lower absentee rates and can lessen the need for parents to take time off work for a child’s doctor visits.

“The school-based clinic at Manatee Middle School is going to be a game changer for many families,” said Jamie Ulmer, president and CEO of Healthcare Network. “We are committed to meeting the healthcare needs of our community through our Convenient Care and school-based clinics, ensuring that patients can receive the care they need when they need it most.”

Convenient Care Locations

Nichols Community Health Center, 12655 Collier Blvd., Naples

Monday to Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (extended after-hours Wednesday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

Veterans Park Health Center, 1845 Veterans Park Dr., Naples

Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FSU College of Medicine, 1441 Heritage Blvd., Immokalee

Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information, visit Healthcareswfl.org or call 239-658-3000.

The post Convenient, Affordable Walk-In Care Options: How Walk-in Clinics Fill the Gap for Minor Illnesses in Collier County appeared first on SWFL Family.

But it’s not just about caring for your teeth. Oral health is linked to overall health. 

The mouth is full of germs and is connected to the digestive and respiratory tracts. Without proper oral hygiene, germs can lead to infections in the mouth and are connected to problems in other parts of the body. 

Bad oral health has been linked to conditions including:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Pregnancy and birth complications
• Pneumonia
• Diabetes
• Eating disorders
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Autoimmune diseases
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Poor performance in school
• Poor social relationships.

Since oral hygiene is linked to a lifetime of health, it’s especially important to develop good oral hygiene habits in children. Such practices can contribute to improved speech development, proper chewing, and a confident smile, which can boost a child’s self-esteem and overall quality of life.

Helping children understand the importance of good oral health includes establishing habits and routines:

You don’t have to wait until your child has teeth to start oral care. Use a soft, damp cloth or silicone finger brush to gently wipe their gums.

Introduce a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-fluoridated toothpaste for infants once the first tooth appears, and brush at least twice a day, after breakfast and before bed. Children older than 3 years can spit out toothpaste, so a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste can be added once they reach that milestone. 

Bush your own teeth alongside your child to model good habits.

Cavity-causing tooth decay is almost entirely preventable. Left untreated, cavities can cause pain and difficulty eating and impact permanent teeth that haven’t even come into the mouth yet. 

What causes tooth decay?

• Germs (bacteria) in your mouth create acid when they break down food and drinks and attach to the tooth’s enamel surface. These germs can be passed from one person to another by kissing, sharing food and drinks, sharing utensils, and even blowing on food. Remember, your oral health can impact your children’s.
• Diet, including sugar, carbohydrates, and sticky foods that cling to your teeth and are not as easily washed away by saliva.
• Poor oral hygiene at home. 

Beyond establishing healthy oral hygiene habits, you can enhance oral care for your children by making a dental appointment by 12 months of age, or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in.

Your dentist can provide dental sealants and fluoride. According to the American Dental Association, the protective layer provided by sealants can reduce a child’s risk of cavities by 80 percent. Sealants are recommended on permanent molars between 5 and 7 and 11 and 14 years. 

Fluoride treatments help strengthen the tooth enamel. They are especially important in places like Collier County, which in February decided to no longer provide fluoride in drinking water.

Starting healthy oral health habits early may help reduce children’s fear of going to the dentist. Healthcare Network offers intravenous sedation in addition to existing nitrous oxide sedation to help support pediatric patients who may need several procedures during a single visit, suffer from severe dental anxiety, and/or have a medical, physical, or emotional disability that limits their ability to understand directions and remain calm.

In addition, as part of Healthcare Network’s commitment to expand access to care, our Ronald McDonald Care Mobile travels to at-risk schools in Collier County to perform dental screenings and prevention, including sealants and fluoride treatments, while introducing children to dentistry at an early age.

State-of-the-art pediatric dental facilities in Golden Gate at Nichols Community Health Center are available to all families, including patients with health and dental insurance. However, as with all our services, no one is denied care based on insurance or income status. In addition to caring for Medicaid patients, we also offer a sliding fee scale that reduces costs for qualified patients. 

Dr. Douglas B. Keck is dental director for Healthcare Network, which provides comprehensive dental care at several sites throughout Collier County. For more information, visit www.HealthcareSWFL.org or call 239-658-3000 to schedule an appointment.

The post Healthy Dental Hygiene Habits Are Something to Smile About appeared first on SWFL Family.

Over the years, the standard American diet, often referred to as the SAD diet, has included more highly processed food. This type of diet is low in antioxidants, fiber, and other essential nutrients, but high in sugar, salt, unhealthy fats, high fat dairy products, and red meats. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion has determined that most people in the U.S. consume too much sugar, salt, saturated fats, and trans fats.

As children grow and develop, they need important nutrients. Some of the benefits of healthy eating include brain development, stable energy, strong bones and teeth, alertness and clear thinking, maintaining a healthy weight, and preventing chronic diseases.

Too many unhealthy foods can result in:

• Spikes in blood sugar levels, which can lead to increased fatigue and food cravings and adversely impacts sleep and other bodily functions.
• An imbalance in the gut microbiome, which may result in a decreased absorption of nutrients and an elevated risk of digestive conditions, such as diverticular disease.
• Obesity, which can lead to developing other related health conditions.
• Increased inflammation, resulting in lower control of infection, higher cancer rates, and higher risk of allergic reaction and autoinflammatory disease.
• A risk of lower capacity for memory and learning, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
• An increase in depression and anxiety.
• Fluid retention and improper functioning of blood vessels with too much salt, resulting in an increase in blood pressure and associated health conditions.

FOOD IS FUEL

It is important to remember food supplies the nutrients needed to fuel our bodies. To start improving nutrition and fuel your children’s bodies most effectively, add the following nutrient dense foods into your family’s diet.

• Bright and dark colored fruits and vegetables tend to have a higher antioxidant content, such as blueberries, blackberries, red onion, and red cabbage.
• Fatty fish, like salmon, mackerel, trout, anchovies, and sardines are a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids which help prevent heart disease.
• Spinach, arugula, and kale are sources of calcium, vitamins A and C, and phytochemicals that fight inflammation and protect cells.
• Hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, and pecans contain protein and monosaturated fats, which can reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Olive oil helps reduce the risk of heart disease with vitamin E, polyphenols, and monosaturated fatty acids.
• Whole grains offer fiber, B vitamins, and minerals, and they lower cholesterol and protect against heart disease and diabetes.
• Yogurt provides calcium, protein, and probiotics to protect the body from harmful bacteria.
• Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and collard greens contain fiber, vitamins, and phytochemicals, which may help prevent some cancers.
• Beans, soybeans, and peas provide fiber, folate, and protein and help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Healthy eating is directly related to better health through stronger immune systems, lower risk of non-communicable disease, and longevity. While people seem to search for a “magic pill” to ensure good health for themselves and their families, the answer really is simple: better nutrition. 

Paulina Gonzalez Rul, M.S., LDN, CNS, is a dietitian nutritionist at Healthcare Network. To learn more about Healthcare Network, visit HealthcareSWFL.org.

RELATED CONTENT

Family Fitness Fun: How to Stay Healthy and Bond Together

Growing Healthier Communities

The post How to fight off sickness and keep your family healthy with these superfoods appeared first on SWFL Family.

1. Better Sleep

Children need sleep to prepare their bodies to expend the energy they need for their activities in and out of school. Children who are sleep-deprived may fall asleep in class, have trouble paying attention, make poor decisions about risky behaviors, and be very moody. Studies show that many children don’t get adequate sleep, especially during the school year. This issue has played a role in some school systems’ decisions to move school start times to later in the morning to allow kids to be better rested.

We recommend:

• Toddlers and preschoolers: 10-12 hours
• School-aged: 10-11 hours
• Teens: 8-9 hours

If your child needs to increase his or her nighttime sleep, gradually move bed and wake-up times to match their school hours. Restrict your child from TV, computer, and phone use for at least an hour, preferably two, before bedtime, as the light spectrum projected by these screens can make the brain more active and interfere with falling asleep. Try to reinforce to children that all cell phone use must stop during rest hours.

2. Better Nutrition

Children need adequate nutrition and hydration to power their bodies and brains. Whether it’s a sit-down meal or on-the-go, try to make sure your children have a nutritious breakfast that includes protein for extra energy that will keep them going until lunch.

Teach children about the building blocks of a nutritious diet and give them guidance about choosing the proper foods for lunch at school if they don’t take a healthy lunch with them. Encourage your children to drink as much water as they can at school.

3. Sports Preparedness

If sports are on your child’s school agenda, check with your pediatrician to make sure your child is healthy enough to participate. Talk to coaches about what precautions they take against the hottest months of the year, and ensure that children will have free access to water and/or electrolyte solutions to drink during practice and games. Let your child know that if they get dizzy, have a headache, get very thirsty, are nauseated, or have muscle cramps while exercising (in sports or gym class), they should stop, tell the teacher or coach they’re not feeling well, get to a shaded area or into air conditioning, and drink fluids.

If your child will be engaging in contact sports, ensure that coaches and athletic trainers are educated about traumatic brain injury and concussions, and that the team has a protocol for dealing with athletes with possible head injuries.

4. Vaccinations

Make sure your child is up to date with vaccinations, not only to protect him or her but also to protect other kids at school. If you don’t vaccinate, be aware that your child may be more vulnerable to catching serious infections from other sick kids.

Talk to your doctor about when it’s safe to keep your child home and observe them when they’re sick, and when it’s wise to have your child evaluated urgently. Urge your children to wash their hands frequently and give older children small bottles of hand sanitizer to use at school.

Sponsored by After Hours Pediatrics Urgent Care

Dr. Melinda Hierholzer is the medical director for After Hours Pediatrics Urgent Care in Naples and Sarasota. She is a board-certified pediatrician with the American Board of Pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Provisional Section on Urgent Care Medicine.

The post Preparing Your Child for a Healthy New Year appeared first on SWFL Family.

FAMILIES WHO RUN TOGETHER

Samantha and Ryan Senkarik have been exercising with their children, Chase and Saige, now 14 and 12, since they were toddlers.

“I like to be with the kids, especially with our busy schedules,” Samantha Senkarik said. “When we have that time together, we are off our phones, doing something healthy and together. I am hoping they carry this through in their future.”

The Senkariks like to run together. Now that the children are older, they head to Disney for the 5K races, which they love.

Ryan Senkarik, a physical therapist, assists Chase with warm-up exercises before golf and Saige before soccer.

“He does the stretching and exercises with them, and I am more of the running part of it,” Samantha Senkarik explained.

Rayna and Matt Overmyer are super active with their sons Alan,16, and Kade, 12. Alan does Disney 10K events with his mom, while Kade will go on family runs to get fit for his martial arts classes.

Rayna Overmyer said it doesn’t have to be big Disney runs. It can be as simple as doing some short sprints with the kids.

“I think a lot of kids don’t know what to do, but if they see their mom and dad being role models, that is huge,” she said. “I think it’s just having a commonality, to set the kids up for a healthy lifestyle and always being mobile, especially nowadays where kids want to play video games all day.” 

HOW TO PLAY AS A FAMILY

Families often stay fit together at the local YMCAs. Angel Cerritos, executive director of YMCA of Southwest Florida, said it’s pool is made for family swims.

“We have a zero-grade entry pool, so it makes it easy for young and even older family members to have access,” he described.

Cerritos says parents and children come to the gym and shoot hoops, play pickleball together, and play on the soccer fields.

“Technology is a solo activity.,” Cerritos stressed. “But when you are active together playing a sport, you are truly unplugged, and you can have conversations and create memorable experiences.”

Exercising with an infant or toddler can be challenging, but Katelyn Houbre says Fit Mom Boot Camp solves that. Families from all over Southwest Florida meet several times a week at the playground at Miromar to exercise together. Sometimes, the toddlers play on the playground while the parents exercise nearby. They also play games together, such as flipping a card to see how many burpees to do. 

Staying fit together doesn’t have to mean working out, running, or going to a gym. It can be as simple as a fun afternoon or evening of active ice skating, bowling, or playing on a field.

Sunday is Family Skate Night at Hertz Arena. From 6:30-8:30 p.m., families pay $10 per person, including the skate rentals. Upright sleds for kids to hold on to make ice skating easier for children and adults.

“We have a lot of families that come. On our Sunday nights, we will get 150-200 people,” said Michael Schmitt, recreation manager. “The kids love it.”

At Bowland in North Naples and HeadPinz in Naples, there is a Sunday Pizza Bowl special all day that includes two hours of bowling, shoe rental, a 

large pizza, and a pitcher of soda for up to six people on a lane for $59.95.

GUIDELINES ON THE GO

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that children ages 3-5 should be active off and on throughout the day to support healthy growth and development. Children 6 and older need at least 60 minutes a day of physical activity and should incorporate aerobic, muscle, and bone-strengthening actions. The CDC recommends adults get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and two days of muscle-strengthening activity a week. Parents can make exercise a fun, family affair while meeting the guidelines and strengthening the bonds with their kids.

PLACES TO PLAY AND GROW FIT

• Bowland Beacon 
• Chrysalis Yoga
• Conservancy of Southwest Florida
• Crew Bird Rookery
• Family Skate Night at Hertz Arena
• Cypress Cove Landkeepers
• FitMom Bootcamp
• Gulf Coast Runners
• HeadPinz in Naples
• Little Beak Farm
• Rising Tide Kayaks
• Top Golf
• Rookery Bay
• YMCA of Southwest Florida
• YMCA of Collier County

For more ideas, see the CCPS and Neapolitan Family Activities Guide

The post Family Fitness Fun: How to Stay Healthy and Bond Together appeared first on SWFL Family.