HERC HOLDINGS INCOME UP IN Q3
Herc Holdings Inc. reported a third-quarter net income of $46.2 million, up $33.4 million from $12.8 million in the third quarter of 2017. The increase was primarily due to improved operating results and a tax benefit related to a revision in the one-time transition tax estimate under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, a press release states. Net income rose $89.8 million to $35.8 million for the nine-month period ending Sept. 30 compared with a net loss of $54 million the year prior.
LEE EXECUTIVE BUSINESS CLIMATE INDEX REACHES RECORD LOW
Lee County’s Executive Business Climate Index for the fourth quarter of 2018 fell four points to 64, according to the results of the latest survey. The index reading was the lowest on record since the fourth quarter of 2016. After beginning the year with a peak of 73, the index fell throughout the year. Concerns about the economic effects of red tide and blue algae on the region’s business fueled this quarter’s decline, a press release states. Ninety-one percent of respondents were “very or somewhat concerned” about the effect this year’s environmental crisis will have on the local economy. Nonetheless, 56 percent of those responding said red tide or blue algae had “little or no impact” on their individual businesses. Sixty-four percent believed the adverse environmental conditions would have a temporary effect on the region. The survey, conducted quarterly by the Horizon Council and Florida Gulf Coast University, was based on the responses of 195 Lee County business owners and executives. For the full report, click here.
LEE HEALTH HOSPITALS TOP-RATED FOR SAFETY
The Leapfrog Group awarded Gulf Coast Medical Center, Cape Coral Hospital and Lee Memorial Hospital with the highest possible score of “A” in its Fall 2018 Hospital Safety Grades. All four Lee Health adult acute-care hospitals saw their raw scores improve over their scores from this spring. HealthPark Medical Center retained its “B” grade, missing an A grade by .03 points. The Leapfrog Group is a non-profit organization with the mission of using transparency to promote improved health care safety, quality and affordability in the U.S. The group releases its hospital safety grades twice a year, rating hospitals on 27 measures of safety data. Of the approximately 2,500 acute care hospitals Leapfrog assigns grades to, 32 percent received an “A” and 24 percent received a “B” grade. To earn a top grade, hospitals must receive a raw score of at least 3.151. For more information, visit http://www.hospitalsafetygrade.org/.
21ST CENTURY ONCOLOGY RECOGNIZED FOR RESEARCH
Research conducted by 21st Century Oncology, in collaboration with UCLA, Stanford, and other cancer research centers, was selected for a “Best of ASTRO” award, which recognizes the top 10 research submissions. The abstract, titled Long-Term Outcomes of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Low – and Intermediate-Risk Prostate Adenocarcinoma: A Multi-Institutional Consortium Study, was presented by Dr. Amar U. Kishan, a resident at UCLA, at the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) annual meeting on Oct. 22 in San Antonio, Texas. 21st Century Oncology was among the first treatment centers internationally to treat patients using prostate Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) in 2002, according to a press release. Since then, 21st Century Oncology has enrolled hundreds of patients into this research study and has published results that demonstrate high rates of cure with very few or serious side effects. Dr. Constantine Mantz was the contributing 21st Century Oncology physician in conjunction with Dr. Amar U. Kishan, Dr. Alan J. Katz, Dr. Fang-I Chu, Dr. Limor Appelbaum and Dr. Andrew Loblaw.
PHYSICIANS’ PRIMARY CARE HIRES ARNP
Heather Starnes has joined Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida as an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP). Starnes holds a Bachelor of Science degree in human development and a MBA in finance/marketing from Vanderbilt University. She earned her Master of Science degree as a family nurse practitioner from Simmons College in Boston. She has more than 25 years of experience in a variety of clinical and business-related healthcare settings as a nurse, healthcare strategist and consultant. In addition to being a certified ARNP, Starnes is also certified in basic life support, the Neonatal Resuscitation Program and as a breastfeeding consultant. Starnes is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Southern Gulf Coast Nurse Practitioner Council, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, and the Nurse Practice Council of Lee Health. She will assist pediatricians at the Fort Myers office at 9350 Camelot Drive and the Cape Coral office at 1261 Viscaya Pkwy.
CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD HIRES KING
Cushman & Wakefield | Commercial Property Southwest Florida has hired Richard King as vice president of property management and facility services. King is responsible for overseeing property managers and accounting project management, as well as facilities services for Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties. Most recently, King spent two years at Transwestern as vice president of asset services. Prior to his time at Transwestern, King spent 21 years working in the commercial real estate industry, where he held various positions within the property management and facility services division, including executive vice president, general manager and director. King holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of San Diego, has served in the U.S. Marine Corps, and is a licensed broker and a certified professional landlord specialist (CPLS).
DDWS HIRES DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Dot Voorhees has accepted the full-time position as development officer for the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS). She—along with fellow development officer Sierra Hoisington and director of development Lynnae Messina—works with executive director Birgie Miller in strengthening and enhancing overall development efforts to support the mission of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Voorhees brings more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit events management, marketing, and communications to the team. Most recently, she was in charge of events and communications for the Friends of the John Jay Homestead in Katonah for 10 years. Voorhees has served as a consultant working with clients from around the country on market research for television advertising and also as a wildlife researcher. She holds a biology degree from the University of Miami.
CHARITABLE NOTES
Gala raises $65,000-plus for Quality Life Center
Quality Life Center hosted its annual fundraising gala on Nov. 2, bringing a sold-out crowd of 300 people to Florida Gulf Coast University’s Cohen Center. The theme of the event, “Come Grow With Us,” featured center children, teens and alumni, and put a spotlight on the Q’s planned building expansion. The event raised more than $57,000 to support educational, arts and character-building activities for at-risk youth. An additional $11,400 was raised to support the center’s building expansion campaign. Thee funds are being matched by the Elizabeth K. Galeana Foundation, leaving $120,000 to be raised for the new $1.5 million wing. To contribute to the building expansion, visit www.qualitylifecenter.org.
Festival of Trees Preview Party to include Breakthrough Awards
The Festival of Trees Preview Party will feature Breakthrough Award winners from 6-9 p.m. on Nov. 27 at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. The awards celebrate individuals with disabilities and disadvantages who overcame barriers to independence. Six honorees will be featured. The evening will include heavy appetizers, a cash bar and the raffling of 22 decorated holiday trees valued up to $9,000. Other items, such as jewelry, travel, sports and recreation merchandise will also be in the raffle. Proceeds from the event support the Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida Foundation. Tickets are available at www.goodwilltrees.com.
Charity car show to commence in Fort Myers
Bell Tower Shops will host a charity car show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 17 to help raise money for the Harry Chapin Food Bank. GulfShore Mustang Club of Southwest Florida, a nonprofit group of Ford Mustang enthusiasts, is sponsoring the Harry Chapin Car Show, but participants may enter custom and stock vehicles of all makes and models, including trucks and motorcycles. The registration cost is $10, or entrants can pay by donating canned foods and non-perishable items. Proceeds will benefit the Harry Chapin Food Bank. The car show will be held rain or shine. Trophies will be awarded for the top vehicles, and attendees can partake in a 50/50 raffle. Music will be provided by Tommy Tunes, and the car show is being produced by FlaCarShows.com.
Get breaking business news delivered straight to your inbox each weekday morning with Gulfshore Business Daily.
