Adams family legacy JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 3, 2022
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 4
$2
Page B1
VA opens new Ocala outpatient clinic
Supplied
New facility located at 4826 SW 49th Road, Ocala.
By Matthew Cretul matthew@ocalagazette.com
T
he new Ocala VA communitybased outpatient clinic (CBOC) opened its doors on Tuesday to veterans seeking outpatient primary and specialty care in Marion County. The facility, which falls under the
North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System (NF/SGVHS), has a total of 37 exam rooms throughout four PatientAligned Care Teams (PACT). Each PACT is color-coded (red, blue, green, and gold), and houses its own individual three-provider unit, complete with exam rooms, staff workstations, and supply closets. The open-office concept
co-locates all levels of staff who will interact with the patient, from Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to doctors,nurse practitioners, and clinical pharmacists, allowing for better coordination and communication between the staff, said Dr. Jose Torres-Rodriguez, the NF/SGVHS Ocala CBOC Chief Medical Officer. Craig Pasanen, a program support
Florida-bred filly by Gun Runner tops OBS Winter Mixed Sale
specialist and project manager for the new facility, pointed out that the entire 45,000-plus square foot design is veterancentered, even down to the artwork chosen for the walls. The art in the lobby is a mix of patriotic pictures that encompass all branches of See New, page A2
ARC faces trifecta of troubles By Rosemarie Dowell Correspondent
to close all but two over the past several years and sell off the properties, using the he Advocacy Resource proceeds for operating costs. Center of Marion The displaced residents County, or ARC were transferred to other Marion Inc., has been serving group homes or facilities. people with disabilities for Sadly, four group home more than 60 years, but a residents died from COVID trifecta of troubles has the in 2020. agency worrying it may have The two remaining group to close it two remaining homes left at its 2800 SE group homes. Maricamp Road campus ARC Marion, like similar are running at a dismal 50 non-profit organizations percent capacity, all due to across the state, is dealing lack of adequate staffing, with a major staffing said Senior Program shortage due to a tight labor Manager Leah Craig. One pool, abysmal Medicaid home houses people with reimbursements rates, and higher medical needs, the the ongoing COVID-19 other is a men’s residence. pandemic, which has “The two homes we have stymied its fundraising left have a capacity of 30, efforts the past two years. but we are down to just 15 “At this point, we’re total residents now,” said holding our own,” said ARC Craig, who’s been with ARC Marion CFO Frank Sofia. Marion for ten years. “That’s “But the only reason is all we’re able to house at this the grants and loans we’ve point until we’re able to hire been given for the Covid and keep employees.” pandemic.” The numbers are also “Fundraising is as bleak as its Adult Day practically non-existent, Training program. the reimbursement rate Before the pandemic, is pathetic, and we’re ARC Marion served from getting killed in staffing 120 to 130 clients each day, like everyone else,” he said. now it is serving just 40, said “It’s hard to hire and keep Sofia. The daily rate for the employees.” ADT program is $40, but At one time, the agency ARC Marion only receives had seven group homes $29 from the state. scattered throughout the “We’re $11 in the hole area, but financial and every day with every client,” staffing issues have forced it See ARC, page A3
T
BRUCE ACKERMAN/Ocala Gazette
Roger Spencer looks for a higher bid on a thoroughbred on the last day of the OBS Winter Mixed Sale at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company in Ocala on Jan. 26.
By Michael Compton Special to the Gazette
O
cala Breeders’ Sales kicked off its 2020 auction calendar in splendid fashion Jan. 25-26. The annual Winter Mixed Sale posted across-the-board gains in all key economic categories and was topped by a $275,000 Florida-bred daughter of 2021’s Leading Freshman Sire Gun Runner.
In the sale’s consignor preferred session on Tuesday, 150 horses changed hands for gross receipts of $3,117,800, compared with 99 horses sold for $1,896,300 in 2021. The average price was $20,785, up from $19,155 a year ago. The median price was steady at $10,000, and the buy-back (horses not sold) percentage was a low 12.2 percent; it was 30.3 percent in the corresponding session last year. For the entire sale, 417 horses sold for a Continued See OBS, page A2
READ DAILY NEWS AT OCALAGAZETTE.COM
INSIDE: Subscribers will receive their paper through USPS on the USPS schedule. Subscription orders must be received by 5 pm on Tuesday in order to be included in the following week’s delivery. Starting at $10/month ocalagazette.com/subscribe
New Candidates............................ A5 Mary Sue Rich Center................. A7 Rescue Dogs................................... A8 State News.................................... A11 Calendar......................................... B2