Supporters of one of the Treasure Coast’s most vital medical resources recently gathered at Quail Valley at the Pointe for a special Donor Gratitude Reception. The event served a dual purpose: to thank the community for their unwavering support of Whole Family Health Center (WFHC) and to outline an ambitious roadmap for the nonprofit’s future as demand for their services skyrockets.
Founded by Dr. Gerald Pierone, WFHC has evolved from a small initiative into a medical powerhouse for the region. Board Chair Steve Trooboff highlighted the organization’s explosive growth, painting a clear picture of the escalating need for affordable healthcare in Vero Beach and beyond. In 2018, the organization served approximately 4,500 patients with a staff of 50. By 2025, those numbers had surged dramatically.
Today, Whole Family Health Center operates with over 200 staff members across four locations and a mobile medical office. The sheer volume of care provided is staggering:
Trooboff noted that the organization has effectively become either the largest or second-largest primary care clinic on the Treasure Coast. While they operate as a fee-for-service business accepting patients with or without insurance, the vast majority of their clientele lives at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines. For these residents, healthcare is often treated as a discretionary expense rather than a necessity.
The critical nature of WFHC’s work was illustrated by a recent cancer screening grant. After screening 700 individuals for mammograms and pap smears, the medical team discovered 64 positive cases—diagnoses that might have been missed entirely without this accessible care.
“When I saw those numbers, I said to myself, ‘What did those people do before?’ And the answer is, they didn’t do anything at all. They don’t go for screening because it costs money and they can’t pay for it. That’s the population that we serve. And the money you give us helps us serve those people.”
To meet this growing demand, WFHC has launched a capital campaign and moved into half of a 15,000-square-foot facility on 37th Place. The expansion plan includes the eventual addition of a pediatrics wing, a comprehensive women’s health clinic, an expanded pharmacy, and additional exam rooms for adults.
Dr. Pierone, the founder and chief medical officer, reflected on the organization’s roots. What began in 1995 as a small clinic in Fort Pierce with a mission to provide quality care regardless of ability to pay has stayed true to its core values while expanding its scope. Today, services include adult primary care, behavioral health, infectious disease treatment, clinical research, and social services.
The patient base remains incredibly diverse, including homeless individuals, migrant families, the working poor, and seniors on fixed incomes. Dr. Pierone emphasized that with federal and state government cutbacks on healthcare and potential changes to Medicaid, the safety net provided by WFHC is more essential than ever.
The reception concluded with a message of deep appreciation from CEO Marie Andress and the board, acknowledging that donor support is what “keeps the lights on” and allows the medical team to say “yes” to patients who are often turned away elsewhere due to a lack of insurance.
For residents interested in learning more about their services or supporting their mission, information is available at wfhcfl.org.
