Member News

Naples, FL, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018 ― In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Physicians Regional Healthcare System is hosting its seventh annual “PINK PARTY” on Thursday, October 4, 2018, from 6-8:00 p.m. at Physicians Regional – Pine Ridge, 6101 Pine Ridge Rd., Naples, FL  34119.
The event will help raise awareness for women’s health issues including those in our area who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with Physician Regional’s team of skilled physicians on topics including women’s health, primary care, dermatology, cardiology, orthopedic surgery, digestive health, urology, and more! The event will feature refreshments, music, entertainment, and giveaways.
Proceeds will benefit the Neighborhood Health Clinic, a local, non-profit grassroots organization with the mission of delivering quality medical and dental care to low-income, working but uninsured Collier County adults. “The Neighborhood Health Clinic is delighted to be the beneficiary of Physicians Regional annual Pink Party,” says Leslie Laschield, CEO of Neighborhood Health Clinic. “A $1,000 gift will equal $7,000 of patient services, so this event truly has a positive impact for our patients.” “The relationship between the Clinic and Physicians Regional Hospital exemplifies the hospital’s commitment to the community and to those in need,” says Nancy Lascheid, Co-Founder of the Neighborhood Health Clinic. “On behalf of the Clinic and the many Clinic patients treated by Physicians Regional, our sincerest thanks.”
There is a suggested donation of $20 at the door. For more information or to RSVP, visit www.ThinkPink2018.EventBrite.com

Clips for Cancer Event Will Raise Awareness and Donations to Help Local Kids with Cancer
WHO:            Golisano Children’s Hospital Chief Administrative Officer, Armando Llechu, alongside 30 others including doctors and team members, community leaders, and influential individuals from Southwest Florida. A list of names is provided below.
WHAT:           These “hero sidekicks” will have their heads shaved by pediatric cancer patients to raise awareness and drive philanthropic support that will help local children with cancer. Donations will go to Barbara’s Friends – Golisano Children’s Hospital Cancer Fund. For more than 20 years Barbara’s Friends has supported lifesaving cancer care for children from across Southwest Florida at Golisano Children’s Hospital. The Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Program is the only program of its kind in Southwest Florida, and no child is denied treatment or turned away as a result of their family’s inability to pay for care.
WHEN:   Friday, September 28 at 10 a.m.
 
WHERE:       Golisano Children’s Hospital – Main Lobby
9981 S HealthPark Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33908
 
WEBSITE:        LeeHealthFoundation.org/ClipsForCancer
CONTACT:        Tiffany Whitaker, APR
[email protected]
239-671-0724 (cell)
HERO SIDEKICKS:

• Armando Llechu, Chief Administrative Officer, Golisano
• Dave Cato, Chief Administrative Officer Outpatient Services, Lee Health
• Emad Salman, Regional Medical Officer, Golisano
• Warren Hutcheson, Pediatric Emergency Department Physician, Golisano
• Chris Hansen, Lee Health Board of Directors
• Mayor Peter Simmons, Bonita Springs
• Kevin Shimp, President, Thomas Marine Construction (Brother of Golisano Oncologist)
• Bill Malstrom, Catering Director and Training Manager at Mel’s Diner
• Sean Nolan, Board of Cancer Alliance
• Jerry Demming, Executive Director for the School District of Lee County
• Ed Mathews, Principal, South Fort Myers High School
• Coach Brian Conn, Head Football Coach, South Fort Myers High School
• Joshua Decarlo, South Fort Myers High School 11^th Grade Student and Football Player
• Maury Morejon, Firefighter, Lehigh Acres Fire Control & Rescue District
• Babs, Radio Personality, Beasley/ B103.9
• Mike Tyler, Program Director and On-Air Talent, CatCountry107.1
• Captain Colin Johnson, Lee County Department of Public Safety
• AJ Bonacquisti, Captain, Training and Staff Development, Lee County Department of Public Safety / EMS
• Collier County Sheriff’s Office
• Gifford
• Sweeny
• Casey
• Catlin
• Ramos
• Foots
• Shakuro
• Deputy Kirk
• Soto
• Bird
• Representative of City of Fort Myers among other surprise participants

About Golisano Children’s Hospital
Established in 1994, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida has been named a “Top Hospital” by The Leapfrog Group for the past two years. It is the only recognized children’s hospital between Tampa and Miami. Lee Health opened the new 128-bed Golisano Children’s Hospital in May 2017, relocating the children’s hospital from the adjacent HealthPark Medical Center. It includes comprehensive pediatric services including a 24-hour pediatric emergency department, hematology-oncology unit, milk lab, Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center, and Level II and Level III NICU with 64 private rooms. Golisano Children’s Hospital is proud to have been named Soliant’s 2018 Most Beautiful Hospital in the U.S., a recognition determined by popular vote. For more information, visit GolisanoChildrensSWFL.org.

Fort Myers, FL – Sept. 26, 2018 – Zoomers, Fort Myers’ premier indoor/outdoor family fun center, is hosting a ZOOMtacular Halloween. On Saturday, October 27 from 4 – 10 p.m., Zoomers will be partnering with Univision to transform the park into an unforgettable safe trick or treat Halloween festival.
All day, wristbands will be $10 off so everyone can enjoy the exciting go-karts, mini golf, and other Zoomers attractions. There will be two costume contests, one at 6:00 p.m. for participants 12 and under and another for teens at 8:00 p.m. A DJ will be playing fun music all night long, and there will be games with prizes. Exciting giveaways include tickets to Universal Orlando, the Naples Zoo, Zoomers annual passes and more!
For more information about Zoomers, visit ZoomersFun.com or call 239-481-ZOOM (9666).
ABOUT ZOOMERS
Zoomers is an indoor/outdoor family entertainment center offering a large assortment of games, rides, and attractions, ideal for everyone ages 3 to 103. Outside, you will find Sidetracked Bar & Grille featuring signature cocktails for both kids and adults, delicious food, and fun bar games. Zoomers offers two go-kart tracks, a rollercoaster, mini golf, Midway Rides and much more. Inside, Zoomers offers a Family Fun Arcade, featuring a Winner’s Circle where prizes can be won. Zoomers can host large or small events in their party rooms, which feature panoramic views of the park and surrounding areas, making it perfect for parties, retreats or meetings.
Zoomers is located at 17455 Summerlin Road in Fort Myers, Florida, just before Fort Myers Beach and the Islands of Sanibel and Captiva. For more information call (239) 481-9666.

Strolling bridal showcase offers couples fresh, inspirational wedding ideas for big day
All brides will be registered to win a $2,500 gift certificate from Diamond District
FORT MYERS, Fla.  (September 26, 2018) The Burroughs Home & Gardens is taking reservations and finalizing plans for its inaugural “Brunch on the River: An Inspirational Bridal Exposé” to be held on November 11, 2018 to showcase the venue’s expansive waterfront views, alongside an array of over 45 wedding professionals and services. The strolling tour will introduce engaged couples to the grandeur of this historic, 1920’s Georgian revival style mansion located at 2505 First Street in downtown Fort Myers. Cost of admission is a $5 donation to the Uncommon Friends Foundation that maintains the historic property. Valet parking will be available.
The exciting event is for discerning bridal couples who want their upcoming wedding to be both personal and extraordinary. Guests will stroll through the interactive and inspirational displays throughout the grand old home, manicured grounds beneath the canopied oak trees, and along the river bank for food tastings and stimulating wedding ideas. Attendees will meet standout caterers, officiants, photographers, florists and a variety of the most creative and reliable wedding vendors in Southwest Florida. Cindy Ekonomou, director of special events for the Burroughs Home said, “We are delighted to partner with Jason & Todd’s Diamond District and CocoLuna Events on this unique bridal event.” All brides attending will be entered to win a $2,500 gift certificate from the Diamond District. Pre-registration for this one-of-a-kind showcase is encouraged, and one pre-registrant will win a complimentary tuxedo or suit rental from The Tuxxman.
Engaged couples and brides-to-be can pre-register for the showcase at   http://brunchontheriver.planningpod.com. To view the photo gallery and learn more about weddings, tours, and other events at the Burroughs Home & Gardens, visit http://burroughshome.com/ or call 239-337-0706.
Celebrating its 25^th anniversary in 2018, the Uncommon Friends Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to lifelong character building among today’s youth and business leaders. It is located at the historic Burroughs Home & Gardens at 2505 First Street. Two open-air, waterfront pavilions are available for public and private weddings and other events. Public tours of the historic home are available by reservation. For more information, visit www.uncommonfriends.org or call 239-337-9503.
 

IMMOKALEE, Fla. (Sept. 27, 2018) – Jay Goldberg Events and Entertainment presents an evening with Blood Sweat & Tears (BS&T) live in concert at Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee on Thursday, Feb. 28  at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are on sale now for $69.00 and are available by phone at 1-800-514-ETIX or online at www.moreinparadise.com or www.jaytv.com/florida. Attendees must be 21 years of age.
It’s been five decades since drummer/producer Bobby Colomby and friends assembled the first group to successfully blend rock and jazz into a genre-crossing sound and style. So successfully in fact, that the band’s second album, “Blood, Sweat & Tears,” topped the Billboard charts for many weeks and beat out the Beatles’ “Abbey Road” for the prestigious Album of the Year Grammy award. That album produced three major hit singles: “You Made me so Very Happy,” “Spinning Wheel,” and “And When I Die.” BS&T has won three Grammy’s and has been nominated more than 10 times.
It has been 50 years since the release of the ground breaking “Child is Father to the Man” album and the band has never looked back. More than 200 talented musicians and singers have passed through the doors of the musical institution that is BS&T. Many have gone on to careers of their own Randy Brecker, Jaco Pastorius, Joe Henderson, Lew Soloff, Lou Marini Jr., Mike Stern, Tom Malone, Dave Bargeron and many more. Blood Sweat & Tears was the first All Star Band and the current lineup is sure to prove the critics right that BS&T is one of the greatest touring bands out there today.
 About Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee
Open 24/7; 365 days a year, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is Southwest Florida’s premier gaming and entertainment destination. The 51,000-square-foot plus casino offers 1,300 slots, and 38 live table games including Blackjack, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow, Let It Ride, Three Card Poker, Mississippi Stud, Blackjack Switch and Spanish 21. Dining options include the award-winning 1^st Street Deli, Asian fusion restaurant Lucky Mi Noodle House, and the recently renovated EE-TO-LEET-KE (“The Camp”) Grill. Seminole Casino Hotel’s nightlife is highlighted by the Zig Zag lounge, home of the Zig Zag Girlz, “where the party never ends” featuring nightly live entertainment and no last call. Additional entertainment and events are held at the Seminole Center, an indoor/outdoor special event center featuring state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. The new Seminole Casino Hotel is the first upscale hotel to open in or near Immokalee and offers suites and deluxe guestrooms with modern décor and features, plus amenities including a swimming pool with private cabanas, 24-hour fitness studio and free Wi-Fi.
Located at 506 South 1^st Street in Immokalee, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee is easily accessible to all of Southwest Florida via I-75 and Southwest Florida International Airport is only a 45-minute drive from the casino. Located between Miami and Naples, north of Alligator Alley on Highway 846, it is five blocks south of Highway 29. Approximately 30 minutes from Naples and Fort Myers, the casino is a 90-minute drive from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Seminole Casino Hotel participates in the Seminole Players Club Wild Card Rewards Program whereby players earn and redeem comp dollars at all Seminole Casinos in Florida. For more information, call toll-free (800) 218-0007 or visit moreinparadise.com or facebook.com/SeminoleCasinoHotel/.

FORT MYERS, FL, Sept. 27, 2018 – The Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) will host their October luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 9, at Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport at Town Center, 9931 Interstate Commerce Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33913. The October program will provide FPRA members and those interested in membership with a comprehensive overview of the value that FPRA provides it members. Attendees will hear the unique FPRA stories from three of the associations’ top membership experts, including:

Gordon Paulus, APR, CPRC, is President of FPRA and a Sr. Communications Specialist at Gulf Power Company in Pensacola, where he has worked for almost 15 years. Previously he spent 21 years working for various newspapers in their sports departments. Gordon is a two-time president of the Pensacola chapter of FPRA and has served on the FPRA Executive Committee for 7 of the last 8 years.

Cheray Keyes-Shima, APR, CPRC, is Executive Director of FPRA and principal of KSC in Sarasota, a full-service communications firm she founded in 1998. Specializing in the development and execution of marketing and public relations strategies, Cheray has worked with a wide variety of local, regional and national clients. Over the years, Cheray has received numerous honors for her work in the PR industry, including several ADDYs and FPRA Golden Image Awards. In 2017, she received the Dillin Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Florida Public Relations Association

Randy Mitchelson, APR is an award-winning entrepreneur, author and community leader with more than 25 years of experience in sales, marketing and financial services. He is vice president at iPartnerMedia, Inc. (iPM), a digital marketing and print agency in Bonita Springs and President-Elect for the SWFL Chapter of FPRA.

Cost is $30 for FPRA members, $40 for future members and $25 for students. Register for the luncheon at www.fpraswfl.org.

Established in 1938, the Florida Public Relations Association is the oldest public relations organization in the United States. FPRA is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Florida. The Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association is dedicated to programs and activities that enhance the success of public relations professionals in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. 

FORT MYERS, FLA., September 26, 2018 –  Dr.Yesinia Martinez has joined Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida as a family medicine physician.
Dr. Martinez earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the Universidad Autonoma de Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Her residency was completed at the Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York.
Dr. Martinez has worked as a primary care physician and a consulting physician for Telemedicine services in Fort Myers for the past five years.
She also has worked as a health educator at St. Barnabas Hospital in New York providing workshops to decrease infant mortality in the Bronx area of New York City.
Dr. Martinez is a member of the American Board of Family Medicine, American Academy of Family Physicians and the Dominican Medical Association.
Dr. Martinez will see patients at the Lehigh Acres Family Medicine office at 5700 Lee Boulevard.
Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida, a physician-owned and operated medical practice, was formed in 1996 by many local physicians and has grown to become the largest physician-owned primary care practice in Southwest Florida.
Medical specialties include family practice, internal medicine and pediatrics. Offices are conveniently located in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Lehigh Acres.  For more information, visit www.ppcswfl.com.

Mackenzie Bledsaw, Outside Sales Professional at FASTSIGNSⓇ of Fort Myers, received the Silver Sales Award at the 2018 FASTSIGNS Outside Sales Summit recently held in Arlington, Texas. This award recognizes sales employees who achieved sales of $500,000 to $699,999 during the 12-month period from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.
Bledsaw is one of 36 Outside Sales Professionals to receive the Silver Sales Award. Catherine Monson, President and CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the franchisor of almost 700 independently owned and operated FASTSIGNS locations worldwide, presented the award.
“Mackenzie is an exceptional, dedicated and knowledgeable visual communications consultant who always puts the customers’ needs first,” said Terry Hill, who owns FASTSIGNS of Fort Myers with her husband Paul. “She is instrumental in helping businesses, organizations and events with the right signs and graphics.  Whether the customer’s organization needs to improve the visibility of their locations, promote a product or service, help people find their way, update their branding or stay compliant, we provide effective and creative solutions to help them achieve their goals.”
The types of custom signs and graphics that FASTSIGNS of Fort Myers provides include wall, window and floor graphics, architectural signs and interior decor graphics, banners and flags, exhibits and displays, wayfinding signs, digital signage and content, vehicle graphics and more.
About FASTSIGNS®
FASTSIGNS® of Fort Myers is a locally and independently owned and operated sign, graphics and visual communications company that provides comprehensive visual marketing solutions to customers of all sizes—across all industries—to help them attract more attention, communicate their message, sell more products, help visitors find their way and extend their branding across all of their customer touch points including décor, events, wearables, digital signage and marketing materials. To learn more, visit fastsigns.com/348 or call (239) 274-0744.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 26, 2018) – Priority Marketing has hired Nicki McTeague as an account manager focused on providing solution-driven services for a diverse array of businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agency clients.
 
As an account manager, McTeague works with the firm’s creative, public relations and digital teams to develop strategies to achieve the marketing goals for a variety of clients in the public and private sector.
 
McTeague previously was a special event planner and marketing assistant for Lee Health Foundation, where she was directly responsible for all aspects of special events execution, which included identifying, cultivating and stewarding corporate, community and individual supporters. She also assisted in implementing strategies to enhance digital marketing, special events management, brand awareness and overall marketing communication for the Foundation. McTeague’s prior positions include administrative specialist at Lee Health’s Regional Cancer Center and sports marketing intern with the Fort Myers Miracle.
 
McTeague earned a bachelor of science degree in business management from Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers.
 
 

ENGLEWOOD, Fla. (Sept. 26, 2018) – A Port Charlotte woman is getting recognition from President Donald Trump for her service to an organization that helps thousands of wounded veterans and others find meaningful employment. Fran Nixon, Florida Missions Operations Manager (MOM) for Project: Return To Work Inc. (R2W), will receive the President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award in a ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 7.
“Veterans hurt in combat gave up so much for our freedom,” said R2W CEO Rob Brazell, Nixon’s son. “My mother is committed to making sure those who sacrificed for America have the tools they need to succeed in civilian life.”
Media are invited to attend the private event that starts at 12:30 p.m. at the Boca Royale Golf and Country Club on 1565 Englewood Road in Englewood. The ceremony is sponsored by Jordi Tejero, owner of Cape Coral-based CRS Technology Consultants.
As part of the award, Nixon will receive a Presidential medal, pin, coin, personalized certificate and a congratulatory letter from the president. Nixon has volunteered more than 10,000 hours for R2W, which helps thousands of disabled Americans get back to work and back to their lives.
Her involvement with R2W dates to its formation in 1998. She leads R2W’s long-term contract with Florida’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, providing services to the severely disabled. She also coordinates volunteers and coaches student interns.
R2W operates an internship program for high school and college students that teaches STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills, as well as service learning internships for injured soldiers, part of the organization’s multifaceted process to help clients explore the jobs they enjoy doing most.
The organization receives support from StaffCV, which provides training opportunities and technical support for R2W’s employment database and personality assessment tool. Many other organizations donate resources to R2W, including the Charlotte County Justice Center, which provides free office space.
As R2W marks its 20th anniversary, its long-term goal is to empower clients to run the organization themselves through the “A Job for Life” initiative, which will be highlighted at the lifetime achievement award ceremony. “A Job for Life” seeks to put more than two dozen veterans and their families in charge of R2W satellite offices throughout the country. To find out more, call 720-359-1541.
About Project: Return To Work Inc.
Project: Return To Work Inc. (R2W) was formed in 1998 to facilitate gainful employment, stabilization and a better quality of life for veterans, disabled Americans and diverse communities, with a special focus on wounded warriors and their spouses. The Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, with branch offices in Punta Gorda, Florida, and Boulder, Colorado, provides clients with specialized vocational rehabilitation, employment services, and entry into a nationwide employer network. Employers depend on R2W as a source of honest, dependable, and hard-working employees. R2W offers service learning internships, sponsorships, volunteer opportunities and more. Visit return2work.org to see how R2W is helping people across the country find productive and fulfilling employment.