By Daniel Casciato

As Clinical Director of the FAU Westgate/UBK Health Centers, Dr. Monica Roundtree Cleckley, DNP, APRN-BC, NP-C, is championing a bold and community-driven approach to primary care. With an emphasis on accessibility, trust, and long-term wellness, Dr. Cleckley is spearheading initiatives that are transforming how underserved communities in Palm Beach County receive preventive health services.

Meeting Needs Beyond Primary Care

Dr. Cleckley’s inspiration for expanding partnerships around preventive care stems from a deep awareness of the unmet needs within the community.

“We realized there had been a lot of barrier access issues,” she explains. “Beyond our health center, clients were requiring additional resources—dental, prenatal care, imaging. We wanted to make sure we had partnerships in place within the community to be a resource for them.”

These partnerships are central to a model that not only provides clinical care but also connects patients with services that address broader social and health-related needs.

Addressing Heart Disease Through Community Collaboration

One of the center’s most impactful partnerships is with the Florida Department of Health. Together, they’ve launched a free blood pressure screening and home-monitoring program to combat hypertension, especially among vulnerable populations, including women escaping domestic abuse.

“It was difficult for us to manage their treatment without knowing what their blood pressure readings were on a regular basis,” says Dr. Cleckley. “The response has been amazing. Clients were excited and committed to taking an active role in their treatment, especially now that they could track their own blood pressure at home using machines provided at no cost.”

Promoting Health Literacy and Ownership

With access to tools and education, patients are becoming more engaged in their health journeys.

“Clients are more engaged with their healthcare. They’re taking ownership and playing an active role in their well-being,” says Dr. Cleckley.

By focusing on health literacy and providing tailored support, the center empowers patients to manage chronic conditions, understand the impact of lifestyle changes, and share their knowledge with others.

“They’re also sharing the information with people in their neighborhoods and communities,” she adds. “It’s creating a ripple effect.”

A Game-Changer: Home Blood Pressure Monitoring

Dr. Cleckley points to home blood pressure monitors as a turning point in chronic disease management. “Clients can now see their progress, understand what the numbers mean, and how diet and medication affect their blood pressure,” she explains.

Without this resource, many patients had no way to measure their progress between visits.

“Now that they have cuffs at home and understand their readings, they feel more responsible and empowered. That sense of understanding leads to better outcomes and reduced risk factors.”

Expanding Access to Cancer Screenings with Cologuard®

The center has also improved access to colorectal cancer screening through a partnership with Cologuard®, a non-invasive, at-home testing alternative to colonoscopies.

“We had an in-service with a Cologuard rep who educated us on the services, and it became clear this could solve a big issue for our uninsured clients,” says Dr. Cleckley. The result? Patients can now receive tests at home, return them by mail, and get timely results.

“It was a huge undertaking, but it gave clients a way to complete an important screening without having to go to a specialist. Almost every eligible client is being screened, and we’re seeing high response and return rates.”

Tackling Barriers to Preventive Care

Despite progress, Dr. Cleckley acknowledges that significant barriers still exist.

“One of the biggest is awareness—just knowing that the health center is here,” she says. Others include lack of insurance and transportation.

To address this, the center partners with nonprofits to secure grants that help underwrite services. It also offers 340B prescription assistance and sliding-scale fees for uninsured patients. For transportation, they’ve introduced Uber Health rides and work with insurers who offer ride benefits.

“We’re working diligently to partner with other organizations that can help break those barriers and bridge the gap,” she emphasizes.

Building Trust Through Integrity and Teamwork

At the heart of Dr. Cleckley’s leadership philosophy is the belief that trust is earned through honesty, compassion, and collaboration.

“Being a nursing professional is a calling,” she reflects. “Clients really trust their providers. So working with integrity is so very important.”

She credits the success of their community partnerships to shared values and mission. “It’s teamwork—it really makes the dream work. Having partners who share our goal of caring for underserved communities ensures that no one falls through the cracks.”

Dr. Cleckley’s commitment is clear: to continue building a network of care that empowers patients, removes barriers, and transforms lives—one trusted relationship at a time.

For more information, visit faunursing.org.