Movers and Shakers Manatee Movers and Shakers: Rural Health to Move Headquarters to Palmetto

PALMETTO – Manatee County Rural Health recently purchased the Bank of America Building in downtown Palmetto. MCRHS will move its administrative offices from Parrish after the first of the year to the Bank of America building. The group is most noted for delivering two out of every three babies in Manatee County. Among some of their specialty areas are Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Podiatry, Dermatology, Optometry, Psychiatry, Chiropractic, OB/GYN, General and Vascular Surgery.

MCRHS is a multi-specialty medical group that strives to provide optimal healthcare to individuals and their families in a professional and safe environment. All MCRHS physicians are board certified or board eligible. The non-profit received approval for a $50,000 grant on Monday, December 3, 2012, at the City Council meeting in Palmetto. The grant had been awarded from the CRA and was approved by the Palmetto City Council at the meeting. The funding will reimburse the company for exterior renovations and upgrading of the building.

In 1978, MCRHS was chartered as a 501(c)(3) non–profit corporation through the combined efforts of the Florida State Department of Health, Education & Welfare, the local Health Department and a multitude of community leaders. In December of 1979, MCRHS opened its first healthcare center and in 1980, the group added its second center. In August of 1984, Mr. Walter L. Presha became the new President and CEO of the organization, where he continues to serve today. Since 2004, under his guidance and vision, MCRHS has expanded to 20 centers, located in Manatee, Sarasota and DeSoto counties.

Many MCRHS healthcare centers have their own pharmacy, which means that their clients can receive everything they need at one location. MCRHS also expanded Lawton Chiles Family Health Center to include a dental facility.

At the meeting, Palmetto City Councilman Charles Smith expressed excitement about the employment opportunities that Palmetto will enjoy as a result of this move. According to Smith, “the organization will bring approximately 80 jobs to the downtown area.” Bank of America will continue to occupy the bottom floor of the building.

Editor's note: Portions of this article ran previously in Tempo News.