Immokalee teen aims to bring healthcare to rural Florida

NAPLES, Fla.—The spotlight will be on Southwest Florida this weekend as the Naples Winter Wine Festival kicks off.

The festival, known as the world's top charity wine auction, has raised $336 million over its 25-year history, benefiting local children.

Yaneli Morales, an 18-year-old senior at Immokalee High School, has her heart set on becoming a cardiologist.

"As a senior right now, at Immokalee High School, a cardiologist is still my top choice," said Morales.

Morales, who was born and raised in Immokalee, has been passionate about pursuing a career in medicine since middle school. Her dream extends beyond personal ambition.

"This is why I want to be a cardiologist, because I see that Immokalee doesn't really have health care around here; we have to travel an hour away to get healthcare," said Morales.

Her determination stems from personal experience.

"During my seventh-grade medical issues related to cardiovascular diseases, I had to travel over an hour to NCH, and NCH didn't really have cardiovascular equipment to treat me, so they had to transport me all the way to Miami," said Morales.

Morales aims to ensure that no one in her rural community faces such challenges in the future.

"The best way to bring good health care providers to rural areas is to recruit health care providers from those areas," said Dr. Javier Rosado, Regional Director of Florida State University's College of Medicine.

Dr. Rosado explained that the Stride program provides students like Morales with hands-on medical experience before they graduate high school.

"The Stride program is designed to give young students the academic skills that they need very early on to eventually be successful in medical school and then, in the long run, become a good physician," said Rosado.

In the program, Morales has shadowed doctors, achieved certifications, and met peers who share her dream.

"Seeing this picture, I see like everyone making a difference to the world in the healthcare or in the medical field," said Morales, reflecting on a summer camp photo.

The Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCF) helps fund Morales's mission.

"NCF is a huge organization that I really am grateful for," said Morales.

"Think of all of the patients that that student will eventually touch. Right? So that seed funding really has an impact that is, you know, years to come," said Rosado.

WINK News met Morales last year at NCF's Meet the Kids Day, where donors meet the inspirational children whose contributions they support.

"I'm a first-generation student for my family as well, and I hope to be a doctor one day," said Morales.

One year later, Morales continues to turn her hopes into reality.

"Sometimes I doubt myself, but I know that for sure, this goal I really want to do, and bring care to Immokalee," said Morales.

Morales's journey is deeply rooted in her community, Collier County.