We’ve screened over 7,000 kids. We also offer free, new-student physicals for any new child who has arrived in Collier County from another state or another country.

What does your job entail?
I oversee the day-to-day activities and set everything up, like when we’re going to do the screenings, what’s needed and the information that goes back. I’m on board whenever we do any of the physicals, and I also do some nursing and medical assisting.

How do you help kids overcome any fear they may have of seeing a doctor?
I think that kids, once they get on board, realize that it’s a fun place and that they’re safe. We make it very kid-friendly. At one school we go to, we’ve been told to please not come into the cafeteria when pre-K is having their lunch because they get so excited to see us.

How do the families you work with respond to what you do?
A retired orthodontist who spends his winters here contacted us saying that he wanted to help by doing free orthodontic work for kids who need it. One mother cried hysterically [when she found out]. She said, "You don’t understand; this is going to change my daughter’s life. She doesn’t want to smile. Thanks to you guys, this is going to be possible."

What’s your favorite part of the job?
The fact that I have the opportunity to help people and change lives for kids. And we really do. Fixing a chipped tooth for a fifth grader can make or break the year for them.

What do you wish more people knew about the Care Mobile?
I think when people see that McDonald’s is on it, they think that we have this endless supply of funds. I would love for people to realize that McDonald’s does give us a little bit, but our biggest contributors are grants, the community and private donations.