Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Dr. Herrema

Dr. Heather Herrema at Martinis + Matisse.

Dr. Herrema’s journey with the Clinic began shortly after she moved to the area in 2015. As a practicing neurologist, Dr. Herrema was looking for a way to use her skills to give back to the community. “When we moved here, I knew I wanted to do something,” she recalls. “I didn’t necessarily know about the Clinic at first, but it just made sense. Volunteering allowed me to fill that niche for myself.”

Though she recently sold her private practice to Orlando Health, Dr. Herrema continues to manage the practice while remaining a dedicated Clinic volunteer. Her work at the Clinic allows her to see patients who fall through the cracks of the healthcare system—those who are employed but lack access to affordable care. “When I started volunteering at the Clinic I was surprised how many of the patients were employed,” she explains. “it really opened my eyes to the gaps in our healthcare system.”

When asked about the Clinic’s team, Dr. Herrema is full of praise. “The nurse practitioners are incredible—some of the smartest I’ve worked with,” she says. “They’re resourceful because they have to be. If they call me with a question, I know it’s a legitimate one, and we figure it out together.”

While balancing her family, her work, and volunteering isn’t always easy, Dr. Herrema never regrets the time she gives to the Clinic. “There are days when it feels like one more thing on the list, but every time I leave, I feel good. I know I’m making a difference—for the patients and the healthcare system as a whole. Preventative care keeps people out of the ER, which reduces costs for everyone.”

Through her work, Dr. Herrema has inspired others, including a high school student who shadowed her at the Clinic and now plans to pursue a career in medicine and public health. She sees volunteering as an opportunity to make a real impact—one patient, one family, one community at a time.

For those considering volunteering, Dr. Herrema’s advice is simple: “It’s worth it. The Clinic is understanding and flexible, and every time you walk out the door, you feel like you’ve made a difference.”