Dr. Dr. Mark A. Needle, MD

Dr. Mark Needle is a nephrologist practicing in Boynton Beach, Florida. Dr. Needle specializes in the care and treatment of kidney disease.

I was flattered when I was contacted to participate in this effort.  When I explained that I was associated with the Caridad Center, the largest Free Clinic in Florida, and didn't see Private Patients, they agreed to my giving some information on Caridad to explain it's role in medical care in Palm Beach County.

The Clinic has a Staff of over 100 Vulunteer Physicians, plus Volunteer Dentists, Social Workers, Dieticians, Medical Educators, and, of course, extremely dedicated staff. There are also volunteer teachers and mentors. 

The Clinic covers the vast majority of the Subspecialties in House, and is truly a full service Pracice, serving Pediatric and Adult patients.

In order to be a Caridad patient, one must qualify by making less money than to poverty level, and not having any Medical Insurance.

Besides giving Physical Health Care, there is Mental Health care, with Psychiatrists, Psycologists and Social Workers.

There is also after school tutoring, Home Visits, and a Kitchen with free food.  When schools open, book bags, notebooks, pens, and pencils are given out.  At Christmas time to largest cardboard cartons that I have ever seen labelled, for example, "7 yr old girls" appear.  To my amazement, there also bicycles for older kids.

The biggest surprise that I had, was being invited to a party for graduating High School Student, who, through Caridad's efforts. got a full scholarshipt to MIT and a computer from the paid Staff.

What is Caridad short of? Simply put, money. All of this goes for everything from drugs to medical equipment.  Among Charities it has the highest ranking for using work for it's work, not overhead.

Any amount is welcome, and a yearly Holiday Gift would be a Godsend.