Thirty-four years ago, the only place that migrant farmworkers could turn for health care, was the County Health Department. The following year, in 1977, a conglomeration of people in Southern Hillsborough County became concerned about migrant health care. This group incorporated and the Ruskin Migrant and Community Health Center was born. The first CEO was Lil Serrano and was succeeded by Ann Russell, two dedicated women that provided excellent leadership and convinced the community of the need for healthcare for all.

The first Ruskin Clinic started in a trailer, behind the health department, with one doctor, one nurse and one medical assistant. This dedicated group of medical professionals worked long hours for little or no compensation, other than knowing that they were filling a serious need in the community. The roof leaked, the a/c rarely worked and there were holes in the wall and the plaster was falling down. There was never any privacy, but still the patients came. Shortly after, the Dover Health Clinic was set up in a small trailer in Dover, Fl., which they quickly outgrew.

In May, 1981, the center got its real start with funding from the Migrant Health and Rural Health initiative – these were two federal grants that were administered through Health and Human Services. This initiative opened the doors of the Ruskin Health Center to other people in the community, who otherwise would not have been able to receive health care. This included indigents, minority populations and low-income families. A large focus at the time, was providing pre-natal and follow-up care to the moms and babies. For a while, it was the "best-kept secret" in Southern Hillsborough County. Many folks questioned if it was staffed with "real doctors" and others thought you had to be a migrant farmworker to receive services. In reality, the center's staff was growing and was comprised of well-educated medical professionals. Healthcare services were made available to anyone, regardless of race or financial status. Sliding Fee discounts were offered based on the income of the patient. In the early days, an office visit ranged from $2.00 - $5.00 and a full-term delivery cost $350. And patients kept coming.

The Dover trailer, quickly outgrew itself and soon a home was purchased on Martin Luther King Blvd., in Dover, that had to be renovated 3 times, to keep up with the clinic's growth. In the mid-1980's, a contract was negotiated with Hillsborough County to accept Medicaid , which contributed to the rapid growth. In 1995, Dover was at capacity and what is now Plant City Family Care, was born. Once again, the clinic was provided with one doctor, one nurse and two nurse practitioners. Then, in order to accurately reflect the changes the organization was experiencing, Ruskin Migrant and Community Health Center became Suncoast Community Health Centers, Inc. in 1993.

As Plant City Family Care continued expanding in 2003, it's satellite office, Suncoast Pediatrics "Pediville', entered the community, providing healthcare services for adolescents from birth to 18 years of age.

About this time, the clinic was feeling the financial "pinch" of growth and limited resources and wisely elected Mr. Brantz Roszel, as CEO. Mr. Roszel was the CFO for Suncoast for the previous 8 years and was a member of Suncoast's Board of Directors prior to his employment. With sixteen years experience in the community health center arena, and a background as a CPA, he was able to get the company back on stable ground and not long after, with the help of state and county government, in June 2008, Tom Lee Community Health Center replaced the Dover Clinic, boasting over 20,000 square feet of state of the art medical and dental facilities, providing comprehensive health care services.

At the time of this writing, Ruskin Health Center, is currently undergoing expansion and renovation, in order to modernize facilities and increase space, modeled after the Tom Lee Center. This is an exciting development for SCHC and we are looking forward to the increase in patient care we can provide to the community. Soon after, Plant City Family Care is slated for the same.

The Suncoast staff has grown from one doctor, one nurse and one medical assistant to approximately 250 employees. Most staff are bilingual, which offers another huge advantage in caring for our patient population. Most of our managers and directors have been employees since the early years and speak with pride about the evolution of the health center. Further testimony to the need in this community, is reflected in our statistics. Last year, Suncoast Community Health Center serviced over 26,000 patients in over 90,000 + visits.

Looking toward the future, Mr. Roszel has announced his retirement in April 2011. Leadership of Suncoast will continue to be run by a volunteer Board of Directors, which is comprised of prominent community leaders and users of the center with varying expertise. Suncoast feels this leadership, keeps them in line with following their Mission. Mr. Bradley Herremans, will be stepping into the position of CEO, after serving since 2008 as Chief Administrative Officer. As a former Air Force Colonel charged with the administration of healthcare services, he sees this new challenge as the next step in his career. He brings with him a vision to continue to expand health and dental services to the entire community, regardless of income and feels we will be ready to face the newest healthcare challenges, facing this country today.

Suncoast Community Health Center has seen many changes over the last thirty four years. What has remained a constant however, is the pride and dedication that is felt, by all staff that have passed through these halls. Most are honored to be part of the outstanding patient care that is delivered and many feel, that it is "their lives, not just a job". A common feeling among staff, is that "they don't feel they've given half as much as they have received". This can be seen daily, by viewing the grateful expression on our patients faces, and knowing that without the community health center, their healthcare needs would not be addressed. Some patients are barely able to pay, but the reward here, is in knowing that we have provided the opportunity for members of our community, to have a place they can receive the health and dental care they deserve.