The Mater Dei Clinic staff at Ave Maria
Many have roots on the east coast of Florida
Ave Maria, Florida – February 13, 2023 – Eight private medical practices, a medical supply company and a branch of Naples Community Hospital have offices or plan to open new facilities in Collier County’s Ave Maria, recently named among the “Top 20 Master-Planned Communities” in the United States. Three of the practices — Mater Dei Clinic, Psychologist Dr. Ariel Hernandez, and Eye Doctor Luisa Del Toro, D.O — have moved from the east coast of Florida.
Ana Garcia-Iguaran, an obstetrician and gynecologist, chose to leave the traffic and crowds in Miami to open Mater Dei Clinic.
“What was most important to me was the opportunity to be part of a small-town health program and provide care to patients who otherwise wouldn’t have it,” said Dr. Garcia-Iguarna. “I want to connect with people and become part of the daily life here. I see the clinic as a long-term commitment and the opportunity to become a hub for health care in and around Ave Maria.”
Luisa Del Toro, D.O., Ave Maria Eye Doctor
Psychologist Dr. Ariel Hernandez recently moved to the town from Pembroke Pines with her husband and their two children. Retaining many of her Broward clients, she is excited about building a practice in Ave Maria. “This community with all of its activities is perfect for my family,” she said, “I look forward to serving my fellow neighbors.”
Luisa Del Toro, D.O., an eye care professional for more than 25 years who previously served patients in Weston, recently opened Ave Maria Optical Family Eye Care. “In my practice, I work hard to reflect the atmosphere of this special community, where neighbors help each other and it feels like one big family,” said Dr. Toro, who treats patients from two years old and up.
Cadenza Wellness also recently opened in Ave Maria by internist Raul Enad, whose
concierge medical clinic offers a comprehensive approach to health and wellness. Originally from Indiana, Dr. Enad also works two days a week in ER in the Punta Gorda area.
“Using the principles in internal medicine, functional medicine, regenerative medicine, I approach illness and wellness with a deep dive at the cellular level,” explained Dr. Enad. “I consider metabolic health as the key factor to containing inflammation of the body, which is the key to health and wellness; inflammation is the key in aging and diseases.”
Dr. Emily Walkey, moved to Ave Maria in 2017 after practicing in Wisconsin. Little Flower Pediatrics is a direct primary care pediatrics clinic. “I work directly with my patients and their families without having to accolade to the restrictions that the insurance companies pose,” she stressed, adding that she recently graduated from a fellowship in pediatric integrative medicine. This training in complementary therapies enables her to treat children in a holistic manner.
Chiropractic Home Services, which has offices in Naples and Bonita Springs, added an Ave Maria location. Husband and wife chiropractors, Duane and Stephanie Olson, provide at-home concierge care for patients dealing with back and neck pain, sports and head injuries, Parkinson’s, dizziness and strokes.
Based in Ave Maria, OLMI Medical Supply is a distributor of healthcare supplies and products for medical professionals and patients.
In early 2024, Naples Community Hospital Health Care System (NCH) will be opening an immediate care center in Ave Maria, staffed by board certified emergency physicians, physician assistants and nurses, who will be available seven days a week to treat a wide range of aliments, from minor cuts and colds to infections, and broken bones to physicals and other health exams.
Margaret Dimond, chief administrative officer of Naples Physician Group, said the facility will grow to meet the needs of the community. “As we grow, we’ll define what the community needs, whether it’s providing cardiology for residents or pediatrics for families,” she said.
Additional medical offices currently operating at Ave Maria include Dr. Sylvia Horgan’s Ave Maria Hearing, Dr. Scott Allen’s Ave Maria Chiropratic, and Dr. Wisdom’s Ave Maria Dentistry.
“With Ave Maria now just shy of 4,000 homes, there is interest in new businesses and services wanting to locate within the community, especially in the health care sector,” said Cee Cee Marinelli, director of development for Ave Maria.
About Ave Maria
Ave Maria has been named a Top 20 Master-Planned Community in the United States, 2015-2022 Community of the Year, the Top Selling Single-Family Home Community in Southwest Florida, and its active adult community, Del Webb Naples, has been named a Top 20 Places to Retire. Located in southwest Florida, Ave Maria is a self-sustaining town including shopping and dining, employment opportunities, parks and recreation, and is zoned for all A-rated Collier County public schools. At its build out, the town will include up to 11,000 residences, and 1.8 million square feet of retail, office, and business park uses in its 4,000 acres. Ave Maria is located at the intersection of Oil Well and Camp Keais Roads in Eastern Collier County. From the East Coast of Florida: Take I-75 (Alligator Alley) West/North to Exit 80, then right/north on State Road 29. Proceed 10 miles to Oil Well Road (County Road 858) and turn left/west on Oil Well Road. Proceed six miles to Ave Maria. For more information, please visit avemaria.com or call (866) 924-8976.
