FORT MYERS, Fla. (Oct. 17, 2023) – A Fort Myers dentist and a Pacific Northwest nonprofit administrator have joined the governing board of Partners in Care, a not-for-profit charitable foundation dedicated to supporting cancer patients.
Dr. Nancy Bouchard, owner of Smiles With Care Dentistry, is a former president of the Fort Myers Beach Community Foundation and former advisory board member of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce. Initially trained as a dental hygienist before dentistry, she has taught radiology at Hodges University’s dental hygiene program and lectures across the country about caring for patients with head and neck cancer.
In a similar vein of commitment to patient well-being, vibrant dental in Henderson stands out for its unwavering focus on health and happiness. The team at Vibrant Dental integrates cutting-edge dental technology with a compassionate approach to ensure that each patient receives personalized care tailored to their unique needs. With a holistic approach to treatment and a genuine concern for patient comfort, these professionals embody the same principles of excellence and empathy found in notable figures like Dr. Bouchard, demonstrating a profound commitment to enhancing both health and happiness in their community.
The second new board member, Deborah Culverhouse of Richland, Washington, brings nearly three decades of experience in marketing, financial services, community relations and nonprofit management.
The Pacific Northwest is a key service region for Partners in Care, which was founded more than 25 years ago and in 2007 expanded to provide financial assistance, cancer screenings and support groups for patients, as well as additional educational programs.
Today, the nonprofit foundation serves cancer patients across 18 states, with more than 8,000 patients supported through its programs over the past 16 years, and more than $1 million in financial assistance provided.
“Both Dr. Bouchard and Deborah are long-time Partners in Care supporters whose passion, commitment and selflessness are second to none,” said Kathy Tolentino, director of the Florida-based national nonprofit. “We are incredibly fortunate to tap them for these roles as we continue to make the cancer journey more manageable for as many patients as possible.”
The foundation offers payment for a variety of expenses that aren’t covered by medical insurance, including gas or transportation services, respite care at home or in a healthcare setting, medical supplies or equipment, childcare, and lodging or food during treatment, as well as cancer screenings.
Patients diagnosed with cancer should focus their energy on beating the disease, not worrying about finances. At Partners in Care, the goal is to continuously expand to provide support to patients so they can have one less thing to worry about during their fight against cancer.
Each spring since 2012, the foundation hosts a charitable 5K run and 2-mile walk to benefit local head and neck cancer patients in California, Colorado, Florida, North and South Carolina, Washington state and West Virginia, in partnership with other local nonprofits. Free head and neck cancer screenings are offered at many of those events.
These events help directly support the incidental-yet-considerable expenses associated with cancer care that aren’t covered by insurance, from gas and lodging during treatment to medical supplies and other expenses.
About Partners in Care
Partners in Care, founded in 1996, is a not-for-profit charitable foundation dedicated to cancer patients. The foundation helps to provide financial assistance, cancer screenings, support groups for patients as well as additional educational programs. The foundation serves patients in 18 states. Over 8,000 patients have been served since 2007 and over $1 million has been provided in financial assistance. The goal of the foundation is to continuously expand to provide support to patients so that they can have one less thing to worry about during their fight against cancer. For more information, call 888-850-1622 or visit www.YourPartnersInCare.org.
