Grant will expand access to care for uninsured and underinsured patients
May 2, 2025 — Healthcare Network is honored to announce it has received a $30,000 grant from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation to support its Sister Veronica Fund, a critical resource that helps bridge the financial gap for patients who are uninsured or underinsured in Collier County.
The grant, awarded as part of the Foundation’s Spring 2025 grant cycle, will provide essential support to help patients overcome cost-related barriers to care.
Founded in 2004 by Best Buy founder Dick Schulze, the Schulze Family Foundation was established to give back to the communities where the Schulze family has deep roots—Minnesota and Florida. The Foundation partners with organizations across education, health and medicine, and human and social services to drive meaningful, lasting change. In all of its initiatives, the Foundation reflects Mr. Schulze’s commitment to strengthening families and building stronger communities.
The $30,000 grant will provide critical support to the Sister Veronica Fund, which was established by Healthcare Network and the family of Sister Veronica Marie Cohen to honor her legacy of service in the Immokalee community. A Catholic nun and longtime advocate for migrant families, Sister Veronica served through the East Coast Migrant Head Start Project until her passing in 1989. Her compassion and commitment continue through this fund, which helps patients overcome cost-related barriers to care.
Today, the fund continues her mission by providing vital assistance to patients who cannot afford even the nominal fees associated with Healthcare Network’s income-based sliding scale. In addition to primary care, the fund helps cover the cost of medications, and specialty services outside Healthcare Network, including transportation to these appointments, ensuring no patient has to delay or forgo care due to financial hardship.
“This generous grant from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation allows us to carry forward Sister Veronica’s legacy by removing barriers and connecting patients to the care they need, when they need it,” said Jamie Ulmer, President & CEO of Healthcare Network. “We are incredibly grateful for the Foundation’s belief in our mission and its commitment to improving health outcomes in our communities.”
The grant underscores the Schulze Family Foundation’s focus on health and medicine, particularly in addressing the challenges families face during times of medical crisis. For more information about the Foundation’s work, www.schulzefamilyfoundation.org.
To learn more about Healthcare Network’s Sister Veronica Fund or to make a donation to support its mission, please visit www.healthcareswfl.org.
About Healthcare Network
Since 1977, Healthcare Network has distinguished itself as a premier patient-centered medical and dental home. Offering the highest level of coordinated care to all ages, Healthcare Network plays an integral role in keeping the entire community healthy, providing quality and comprehensive care and financial assistance when needed. With practices located throughout Collier County, primary health care services include family care, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, dental care and pharmacy as well as behavioral health counseling for both adults and children. Additionally, the organization’s community health workers bring health and social services directly to underserved families. Healthcare Network is recognized by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care and certified as a Patient-Centered Medical Home by HRSA. For more information, visit HealthcareSWFL.org, or to schedule an appointment, please call 239-658-3000.
About the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation
The Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation was created in 2004 by Best Buy founder, Dick Schulze, to give back to the communities where Dick and his family grew up – in Minnesota, where he built Best Buy to become the world’s largest consumer electronics retailer, and in Florida, where he now maintains a permanent residence. The Schulze Family Foundation creates grant partnerships with organizations that generate meaningful results in human and social services, education, and health and medicine. In all its activities, the Foundation embraces its founder’s vision to strengthen and support initiatives that lead to change within our communities. For more information, please visit our website.
