About Us

We Care Manatee connects uninsured, low-income Manatee County residents to the medical care they need.  Our services are available to uninsured Manatee County residents between the ages of 18 and 64, with income below 200% of the federal poverty level.

History

We Care Manatee was founded by the Manatee County Medical Society in 1999 to address the increasing need of uninsured residents to receive care and treatment from medical specialists. In 2001, We Care Manatee began coordinating care between local physicians who were willing to see uninsured patients in their offices free of charge. In 2002 we incorporated as a non-profit organization.

In the years since then, We Care Manatee physicians have provided millions of dollars in donated care to patients who would otherwise go without.

What We DO

Using a dedicated group of volunteer physicians practicing under the Volunteer Health Care Provider Program (VHCPP) We Care Manatee staff is able to screen referrals and connect clients to medical care offered free of charge. The VHCPP program allows volunteer physicians to be designated an “agent of the state” and have sovereign immunity for uncompensated care they provide to We Care Manatee clients.

At We Care Manatee our goal is to keep residents healthy, enable them to work, and reduce the burden on emergency rooms and other safety net facilities.

Together, we are making a healthy difference in our patient’s lives.

Our patients, physicians, donors, and volunteers are your neighbors, friends, local care providers, students, and retirees.

Each day, our providers, volunteers, and staff live our mission to facilitate free medical care to low-income, uninsured residents of Manatee County.

Partnerships with community hospitals and alliances with other medical facilities enable us to give patients the quality care they need, from local providers they trust. These partnerships assure that the county’s most vulnerable residents get access to the care they need.

Working together

We Care Manatee is funded though individual and corporate donations, government and private grants, and in-kind contributions. Thanks to the generous support of our medical community and people like you, we can serve those in need in Manatee County.

Our Partners

We Care Manatee is able to live its mission to provide comprehensive free care to those in need because of the deep commitment of our organizational partners. We have developed collaborative relationships with a number of organizations throughout the community.

Below is a partial list:
Our Board
OFFICERS:

Thomas Morrish, MD

Co-Chairman

Ear Nose & Throat Associates of Manatee, PA

Brad Laudicina, OD

Co-Chairman

The Eye Center

Erin Hentrich

Treasurer

Kerkering, Barberio & Co.

Jodi D. Allen

Secretary

Sunwest Bank

DIRECTORS:

Valerie Vale

Manatee County Medical Society

Bryan Boudreaux

The Bank of Tampa

Scott Cranston

Florida Surgical Specialists

Federico Frias, M.D.
APC Pediatrics
Daniel Amoah, M.D.
Universal Wellness Group

Jennifer McCullen, MD

OB/GYN Women’s Centre

Darcy Lawn
Iberia Bank

Wendy McDougal

Manatee Memorial Hospital

Marianne Barnebey

City of Bradenton

Our Leadership

Annie Breitinger

Executive Director

Annie Breitinger joined We Care Manatee as the Executive Director in 2021 after serving 8 years as a board member.  She majored in sociology and conflict studies at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.  She obtained her juris doctorate from St. Louis University School of Law.  In 2012 she moved to Bradenton to work as a health care attorney at local law firm, Blalock Walters.  After over 9 years as a health care attorney, she made the jump into the non-profit world to lead We Care Manatee.  She lives in Bradenton with her husband and two little wild boys.

Our funding comes from grants and generous donations provided by people like you. Support our mission to facilitate free medical care to low-income uninsured residents of Manatee County, FL.

We Care Manatee, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 not for profit organization (Tax ID 59-3606103). Donations are tax deductible. For final determination please consult with your tax preparer.

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