GILCHRIST COUNTY

Gilchrist County is located in North Central Florida. The major city is Trenton, where the Health Department is found. The many crystal clear rivers and springs attract scuba divers from around the world. The population is 13,140. According to the Office of the Governor, the 1997 median household income was $26,777. Dairy and tourism are Gilchrist County's primary industries. Hilltop Dairy Farms is a large private employer.

The Gilchrist County Health Department (GCHD) has one office. Services are offered to all residents of Gilchrist County, on an ability to pay basis. The focus is on pediatric care, which includes anyone between birth and twenty-one years of age. Primary care for adults is provided on a limited basis. The county has a school health program, providing a wide variety of services to children in the school setting. Family planning services are not offered in the schools. The following services are provided:

• Well-child care

• Prenatal care (once a week)

• Women's health

• Family planning

• Post-menopause care

• Limited adult primary care

• Healthy Start

• School Health

• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

• Immunizations

• In addition the CCHD provides anonymous or confidential Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) testing and counseling.
  
  
  The Gilchrist County Health Department is interested in professional volunteers. Please contact Sable Bolling, Administrator at PO Box 32693-0368, 119 First Ave, Northeast, Trenton, FL 32693-3461. She can also be reached by telephone at (352) 463-3120 or by SunCom at (352) 640-3120.

The Alachua County Medical Society Inc.’s We Care Physician Referral Network accepts specialty referrals from Gilchrist County on a case-by-case basis. A participating physician can only generate referrals. Eligible patients are able to receive free specialty medical care and any necessary hospitalization services.

The American Cancer Society, in partnership with the Volunteer Services Program serves Gilchrist County with the "Early Diagnostic Initiative". This initiative provides free mammograms and/or sonograms, as well as follow-up medical treatment to indigent, uninsured women identifying a breast abnormality.

The Florida Baptist Convention Mobile Dental Van visited Gilchrist County to provide needed dental services. 89 patients were seen by one dentist and two other professional volunteers.