Congressman Rivera Tours Ave Maria Dialysis Facility
- Details
-
Published on Wednesday, 20 April 2011 17:36
U.S. Rep. David Rivera toured the DaVita Dialysis center in Ave Maria Wednesday, the first of two visits he's planning to the town of Ave Maria within a week. Right, Rep. Rivera speaking with DaVita facility administrator Lisa Pearce in front of the center's "patient wall of fame."
Rep. Rivera said he wanted to visit the dialysis center as part of an effort to see first-hand how the health-care needs of his constituents are being met, particularly in more rural areas of his sprawling congressional district.
"Facilities like this are really important," he said after hearing that for most of the patients the center in eastern Collier County cuts as much as six hours a week of travel time for them to receive treatment.
"As the population in the area continues to grow, it will be even more significant," he said.
Rep Rivera spent about an hour speaking in English and Spanish with staff and patients at the center, which is one of more than 1,600 such facilities that DaVita Dialysis operates across the United States. Left, Rep. Rivera with Jerry and Diana Kennedy of Immokalee, whose daughter was undergoing dialysis at the center. In background is the center's assistant facility director, Keats Byssainthe.
The freshman congressman said he planned to return to Ave Maria Tuesday, April 26, for private meetings with Ave Maria University staff, faculty and students. He also said that he hopes to be available for part of the afternoon at The Bean of Ave Maria to meet residents who want to speak with him. Details on that meeting will be reported in The Ave Herald when they are available.
